Plant Biopolymer Science

Research into plant biopolymers, their structural characteristics and related physicochemical and functional properties is of increasing significance in the modern world. This is particularly true in relation to sustainable agriculture, environmentally friendly processes and new technology requirements and safe products. This unique book reports on the very latest research on plant biopolymer science, from biosynthesis through to applications. It describes specifically developments in the study of the biosynthesis of macromolecules and biopolymer design, going on to model systems such as biopolymer assemblies, interfaces and interphases. Finally, a discussion of multiphasic systems shows how these concepts may be extended to everyday applications. With contributions drawn from the international scientific community, Plant Biopolymer Science: Food and Non-Food Applications provides an overview of the state-of-the-art for a variety of readers, which will include students, researchers and teachers in academia to professionals in industry and government agencies.

Biopolymer Science for Proteins and Peptides introduces all aspects of natural polymers based on structural proteins and peptides, presenting synthesis, structure, properties, proteins, materials design, and applications. The book begins by presenting the core concepts of polypeptide and protein materials, before discussing synthesis and structure in detail. The next part of the book describes physical properties, biological properties, and issues surrounding stability. Subsequent chapters offer in-depth coverage of both natural and structural protein sources, including collagen, silk, elastin, resilin, keratin, foot protein, and reflectin, and the materials that can be designed from them, such as films, fibers, textiles, microparticles, sponges and scaffolds, nanomaterials, blends, and composites. These materials are also analyzed against the available synthetic polymers. Finally, the text explores current applications and potential future developments. This is an essential resource for researchers and advanced students across a range of disciplines, including biopolymers, structural proteins, polymer science, materials science, biomaterials, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, and pharmaceutical science. In an industry setting, this is of great interest to scientists and R&D professionals working in industries with an interest in bio-based polymers for advanced applications. Explains how biopolymers from structural proteins and peptides can be developed into materials, such as films, fibers, textiles, microparticles, sponges and scaffolds, nanomaterials, blends, and polymer composites Provides the reader a solid understanding of the structure, synthesis, and properties Guides the reader from sources, including collagen, silk, elastin, resilin, keratin, and reflectin, to material design and cutting-edge applications

Biopolymers and Biodegradable Plastics are a hot issue across the Plastics industry, and for many of the industry sectors that use plastic, from packaging to medical devices and from the construction indusry to the automotive sector. This book brings together a number of key biopolymer and biodegradable plastics topics in one place 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. Topics covered include preparation, fabrication, applications and recycling (including biodegradability and compostability). Applications in key areas such as films, coatings controlled release and tissue engineering are discussed. Dr Ebnesajjad provides readers with an in-depth reference for the plastics industry – material suppliers and processors, bio-polymer producers, bio-polymer processors and fabricators – and for industry sectors utilizing biopolymers – automotive, packaging, construction, wind turbine manufacturers, film manufacturers, adhesive and coating industries, medical device manufacturers, biomedical engineers, and the recycling industry. Essential information and practical guidance for engineers and scientists working with bioplastics, or evaluating a migration to bioplastics. Includes key published material on biopolymers, updated specifically for this Handbook, and new material including coverage of PLA and Tissue Engineering Scaffolds. Coverage of materials and applications together in one handbook enables engineers and scientists to make informed design decisions.

Biopolymers and Their Industrial Applications: From Plant, Animal, and Marine Sources to Functional Products is a detailed guide to the use of biopolymers for advanced applications across a range of key industries. In terms of processing and cost, bio-based polymers are becoming increasingly viable for an ever-broadening range of novel industrial applications. The book begins with an overview of biopolymers, explaining resources, demands, sustainability, life cycle assessment (LCA) modeling and simulation, and classifications. Further in-depth chapters explore the latest techniques and methodologies for isolation and physicochemical characterization, materials selection, and processing for blends and composites. Chapters 6 to 14 each focus on the preparation and applications of biopolymers in a specific industrial area, including food science and nutraceuticals, medicine and pharmaceuticals, textiles, cosmeceutical, packaging, adhesives and automotive, 3D printing, super capacitor and energy storage devices, and environmental applications. The final chapter compares and analyzes biopolymers alongside synthetic polymers, also offering valuable insight into social, economic, and environmental aspects. This is an essential resource for those seeking to understand, research, or utilize biopolymers in industrial applications. This includes researchers, scientists, and advanced students working in biopolymers, polymer science, polymer chemistry, biomaterials, materials science, nanotechnology, composites, and biotechnology. This is a highly valuable book for scientists, R&D professionals, designers, and engineers across multiple industries and disciplines, who are looking to utilize biopolymers for components and products. Introduces a broad range of industrial application areas, including food, medicine, textiles, cosmetics, packaging, automotive, 3D printing, energy, and more Offers an industry-oriented approach, addressing challenges and explaining the preparation and application of biopolymers for functional products and parts Considers important factors such as resources, classification, sustainability, and life cycle assessment (LCA) modeling and simulation Compares and analyzes biopolymers alongside synthetic polymers, also offering valuable insight into social, economic, and environmental aspects

Bio-based Plant Oil Polymers and Composites provides engineers and materials scientists a useful framework to help take advantage of the latest research conducted in this rapidly advancing field—enabling them to develop and commercialize their own products quickly and more successfully. Plant oil is one of the most attractive options as a substitute for non-renewable resources in polymers and composites, and is producing materials with very promising thermomechanical properties relative to traditional, petroleum-based polymers. In addition to critical processing and characterization information, the book assists engineers in deciding whether or not they should use a plant oil-based polymer over a petroleum-based polymer, discussing sustainability concerns, biodegradability, associated costs, and recommended applications. The book details the advancements in the development of polymeric materials and composites from plant oils, and provides a critical review of current applications in various fields, including packaging, biomedical, and automotive applications. Also includes the latest progress in developing multifunctional biobased polymers—by increasing thermal conductivity or adding antibacterial properties, for example. Essential coverage of processing, characterization, and the latest research into polymeric materials and composites derived from plant oils (thermoplastics, thermosets, nanocomposites, and fiber reinforced composites) Critically reviews the potential applications of plant oil-based polymers, including sensors, structural parts, medical devices, and automotive interiors Includes the latest developments in multifunctional bio-based polymer composites

The purpose of this monograph is to provide a thorough outlook on the topic related to the synthesis and characterization of original macromolecular materials derived from plant oils, an important part of the broader steadily growing discipline of polymers from renewable resources. The interest in vegetable oils as sources of biodiesel and materials has witnessed a remarkable growth of scientific and industrial interest since the beginning of the third millennium responding to the pressing drive to implement sustainability in the energy and materials sectors. The book highlights the most relevant strategies being pursued to elaborate polymers derived from a variety of common oils, by direct activation or through chemical modifications yielding novel monomers. Because glycerol is the main byproduct of biodiesel production, it is treated here as the other logical source of macromolecular synthesis. Each of the different approaches is illustrated by an introductory layout of the underlying chemical mechanisms, followed by examples of notable achievements in terms of the properties and potential applications of the ensuing materials, which span a wide range of structures and performances. In particular, original pathways involving click-chemistry reactions as thiol-ene and Diels-Alder couplings and metathesis polymerizations are discussed and shown to reflect the involvement of a growing number of research programs worldwide. It is important to underline that the book is not a scientific review covering the details of all relevant literature, but instead a reasoned and well-documented presentation of the state-of-the-art aimed at professionals in the field of polymer science, as well as at both undergraduate and graduate students and, more generally at chemists interested in the rational exploitation of renewable resources.

Industrialists developing new food and pharmaceutical products face the challenge of innovation in an increasingly competitive market that must consider incredient cost, product added-value, expectations of a healthy life-style, improved sensory impact, controlled delivery of active compounds and last, but not lease, product stability. While much work has been done to explore, understand, and address these issues, a gap has emerged between recent advances in fundamental knowledge and its direct application to product situations with a growing need for scientific input. Modern Biopolymer Science matches science to application by first acknowledging the differing viewpoints between those working with low-solids and those working with high-solids, and then sharing the expertise of those two camps under a unified framework of materials science. * Real-world utilisation of fundamental science to achieve breakthroughs in product development * Includes a wide range of related aspects of low and high-solids systems for foods and pharmaceuticals * Covers more than bio-olymer science in foods by including biopolymer interactions with bioactive compounds, issues of importance in drug delivery and medicinal chemistry

Biopolymer Grafting: Synthesis and Properties presents the latest research and developments in fundamental of synthesis and properties of biopolymer-based graft copolymers. The book presents a broad overview of the biopolymer grafting process, along with trends in the field. It also introduces a range of grafting methods which lead to materials with enhanced properties for a range of practical applications, along with the positives and limitations of these techniques. The book bridges the knowledge gap between the scientific principles and industrial applications of polymer grafting. This book covers synthesis and characterization of graft-copolymers of plant polysaccharides, functional separation membranes from grafted biopolymers, and polysaccharides in alternative methods for insulin delivery. Recent trends and advances in this area are discussed, assisting materials scientists and researchers in mapping out the future of these new "green" materials through value addition to enhance their use. Introduces polymer researchers to a promising, rapidly developing method for modifying naturally derived biopolymers Provides a one-stop shop covering synthesis, properties, characterization and graft copolymerization of bio-based polymeric materials Increases familiarity with a range of biopolymer grafting processes, enabling materials scientists and engineers to improve material properties and widen the range of potential biopolymer applications