Biopolymers From Renewable Resources

Biopolymers from Renewable Resources is a compilation of information on the diverse and useful polymers derived from agricultural, animal, and microbial sources. The volume provides insight into the diversity of polymers obtained directly from, or derived from, renewable resources. The beneficial aspects of utilizing polymers from renewable resources, when considering synthesis, pro cessing, disposal, biodegradability, and overall material life-cycle issues, suggests that this will continue to be an important and growing area of interest. The individual chapters provide information on synthesis, processing and properties for a variety of polyamides, polysaccharides, polyesters and polyphenols. The reader will have a single volume that provides a resource from which to gain initial insights into this diverse field and from which key references and contacts can be drawn. Aspects of biology, biotechnology, polymer synthesis, polymer processing and engineering, mechanical properties and biophysics are addressed to varying degrees for the specific biopolymers. The volume can be used as a reference book or as a teaching text. At the more practical level, the range of important materials derived from renewable resources is both extensive and impressive. Gels, additives, fibers, coatings and films are generated from a variety of the biopolymers reviewed in this volume. These polymers are used in commodity materials in our everyday lives, as well as in specialty products.

Renewable Bioresources: scope and modification for non-food applications is the first text to consider the broad concept of renewable materials from the socio-economic aspects through to the chemical production and technical aspects of treating different raw products. The text sets the context of the renewables debate with key opening chapters on green chemistry, and the current situation of US and EU policy regarding sustainability and industrial waste. The quantitative and technical scope and production of renewable resources is then discussed with material looking at integral valorisation, the primary production of raw materials, downstream processing, and the identification of renewable crop materials. The latter part of the book concludes with a discussion on the uses for renewable materials such as carbohydrates, woods, fibres, biopolymers, lipids and proteins in different industrial applications, including a key chapter on the high value-added industries. Covers the broad concept of renewable resources from different points of view. Takes readers through the identification, production, processing and end-applications for renewable raw materials. Considers and compares EU and US renewable resources and sustainability objectives. Devotes one chapter to green chemistry and sustainability, focussing on the green industrial processes. This is an essential book for upper level undergraduates and Masters students taking modules on Renewable Resources, Green Chemistry, Sustainable Development, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science and Environmental Technology. It will also benefit industry professionals and product developers who are looking at improved economic and environmental means of utilising renewable materials.

This book details polysaccharides and other important biomacromolecules covering their source, production, structures, properties, and current and potential application in the fields of biotechnology and medicine. It includes a systematic discussion on the general strategies of isolation, separation and characterization of polysaccharides and proteins. Subsequent chapters are devoted to polysaccharides obtained from various sources, including botanical, algal, animal and microbial. In the area of botanical polysaccharides, separate chapters are devoted to the sources, structure, properties and medical applications of cellulose and its derivatives, starch and its derivatives, pectins, and exudate gums, notably gum arabic. Another chapter discusses the potential of hemicelluloses (xylans and xylan derivatives) as a new source of functional biopolymers for biomedical and industrial applications. The algal polysaccharide, alginate, has significant application in food, pharmaceuticals and the medical field, all of which are reviewed in a separate chapter. Polysaccharides of animal origin are included with separate chapters on the sources, production, biocompatibility, biodegradability and biomedical applications of chitin (chitosan) and hyaluronan. With the increasing knowledge and applications of genetic engineering there is also an introduction in the book to nucleic acid polymers, the genome research and genetic engineering. Proteins and protein conjugates are covered, with one chapter providing a general review of structural glycoproteins, fibronectin and laminin, together with their role in the promotion of cell adhesion in vascular grafts, implants and tissue engineering. Another chapter discusses general aspects of a number of industrial proteins, including casein, caseinates, whey protein, gluten and soy proteins, with emphasis on their medical applications, and with reference to the potential of bacterial proteins. Another natural polymer resource, microbial polyesters, although small compared with polysaccharides and proteins, is also gaining increasing interest in biomedical technology and other industrial sectors. One chapter, therefore, is devoted to microbial polyesters, with comprehensive coverage of their biosynthesis, properties, enzymic degradation and applications. By dealing with biopolymers at the molecular level, the book is aimed at the biomedical and wider materials science communities and provides an advanced overview of biopolymers at the graduate and postgraduate level. In addition it will appeal to both academic and industrial life scientists who are involved in research and development activities in the medical and biotechnology field.

This book explores the most recent advanced research activities in the field of polymers and composites derived from renewable, both plant and marine, resources. It covers different components of composite materials including emerging polymeric materials (from elastomers to rigid thermosets) as well as nanosized biosourced fillers extracted from biomass. These biopolymeric nano-assemblies have garnered in the materials community a tremendous level of attention that does not appear to be waning. Biopolymers derived from the different biomass components such as oils, carbohydrates and phenolic substrates are also discussed. In this regard, new polymeric materials obtained from simple modification of the renewable polymers or totally synthesized from building blocks derived from renewable resources using different routes are included. Demanding applications for such composite materials in various fields as well as the environmental impact engendered by their "intensive" production are examined in the last part of the book.

"With growing concern for the environment and the rising price of crude oil, there is increasing demand for non-petroleum-based polymers from renewable resources. Recognizing emerging developments in biopolymer systems research, this book brings together a number of key biopolymer and bioplastic topics in one place. The book highlights the importance and impact of eco-friendly green biopolymers and bioplastics, both environmentally and economically. It provides important insight into the diversity of polymers obtained directly from, or derived from, renewable resources. This volume, Applied Biopolymer Technology and Bioplastics: Sustainable Development by Green Engineering Materials, will be valuable for a broad audience of engineers and scientists, especially those designing with biopolymers and biodegradable plastics, or evaluating the options for switching from traditional plastics to biopolymers. The content of this book will prove useful for students, researchers, and professionals working in the field of green technology"--

Application of polymers from renewable resources - also identified as biopolymers - has a large potential market due to the current emphasis on sustainable technology. For optimal R&D achievements and hence benefits from these market opportunities, it is essential to combine the expertise available in the vast range ofdifferent disciplines in biopolymer science and technology. The International Centre of Biopolymer Technology - ICBT - has been created with support from the European Commission to facilitate co operation and the exchange of scientific knowledge between industries, universities and other research groups. One of the activities to reach these objectives, is the organisation ofa conference on Biopolymer Technology. In September 1999, the first international conference on Biopolymer Technology was held in Coimbra, Portugal. Because of its success - both scientifically and socially - and because ofthe many contacts that resulted in exchange missions or other ICBT activities, it was concluded that a second conference on Biopolymer Technology was justified. This second conference was held in Ischia, Italy in October 2000. And again, the scientific programme contained a broad spectrum ofpresentations in a range of fields such as biopolymer synthesis, modification, technology, applications, material testing and analytical methods.

Presents the synthesis, technology and processing details of a large range of polymers derived from renewable resources It has been a long-term desire to replace polymers from fossil fuels with the more environmentally friendly polymers generated from renewable resources. Now, with the recent advancements in synthesis technologies and the finding of new functional monomers, research in this field has shown strong potential in generating better property polymers from renewable resources. A text describing these advances in synthesis, processing, and technology of such polymers not only provides the state-of-the-art information to researchers, but also acts to stimulate research in this direction. The contents are based on a wide range of functional monomers and the contributions are written by eminent researchers. Specifically Renewable Polymers: Demonstrates the design, synthesis, properties and applications of plant oil-based polymers Presents an elaborate review of acid mediated polymerization techniques for the generation of green polymers Details the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from olive oil based wastewater Describes the use of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) techniques Reviews the renewable polymers derived from transgenic crop plants Provides an overview of a range of biomass-based polymers Concludes with the recent efforts and approaches exploiting the natural materials in developing drug delivery systems.