Recent Advances In Biopolymers

This book contains 10 Chapters divided into three Sections. Section A covers synthesis of biopolymers. Lignocellulosic feedstock contains cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which are used for synthesis of biopolymers. Polymer-coated noble metal nanoparticles are used in nanobiomedicine and fundamental biomaterials. Section B describes applications of biopolymers in biomedical, antimicrobial, industrial, nanotechnology, laser-based thin films, and regenerative medicines. Section C is dedicated for advancement and engineering in biopolymers for personal protective garments, equipments, membrane separation processes, purifications, and new generation of high-performance biomaterials. A new numerical-cum-graphical method called TI2BioP (Topological Indices to BioPolymers) has been developed to estimate topological indices (TIs) from two-dimensional (2D) graphical approaches for the natural biopolymers DNA, RNA, and proteins.

This book contains 10 Chapters divided into three Sections. Section A covers synthesis of biopolymers. Lignocellulosic feedstock contains cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which are used for synthesis of biopolymers. Polymer-coated noble metal nanoparticles are used in nanobiomedicine and fundamental biomaterials. Section B describes applications of biopolymers in biomedical, antimicrobial, industrial, nanotechnology, laser-based thin films, and regenerative medicines. Section C is dedicated for advancement and engineering in biopolymers for personal protective garments, equipments, membrane separation processes, purifications, and new generation of high-performance biomaterials. A new numerical-cum-graphical method called TI2BioP (Topological Indices to BioPolymers) has been developed to estimate topological indices (TIs) from two-dimensional (2D) graphical approaches for the natural biopolymers DNA, RNA, and proteins.

The book presents current R&D activities to unravel the physico-chemical properties of diverse biopolymers, and their processing towards functionalised, high-performance bio-products with defined applications. The importance of this research becomes obvious by considering the annual plastic production of about 330 Mt, the lion's share thereof based on the conversion of fossil feedstocks that is highly recalcitrant against biodegradation. Alternative environmentally degradable plastics cover not even 5% of today's plastic market. Such biopolymers encompass various macromolecules of biological origin with diverse monomeric composition, and manifold physico-chemical properties. This structural diversity makes them potential candidates to produce bulk materials, e.g., for packaging purposes, smart functionalised materials in special niches like the biomedical field. Consequently, we witness an increasing trend towards new natural polymers to replace well-established products like plastics. After decades of global R&D developments in this field, and numerous body blows on the way to the anticipated market breakthrough of biopolymers, it is generally recognised that the success of such new materials needs progress in both material performance and production prices. The book Current Advances in Biopolymer Processing & Characterisation is dedicated to the current state-of-the-art of production, modification, characterisation, and processing of two major biopolymer groups: Firstly, polysaccharides, nature's most abundant raw materials, are represented by specialised contributions on biomedical applications of starch and its follow-up products. Polysaccharides were also studied for the examples of functionalised thermoplastic starch, molecular and hydrocolloidal characteristics of xanthan in aqueous environments, and by the design of functionalised xylan-based bio-materials. Secondly, the second series of contributions encompasses diverse biopolyesters. Advanced methods to improve the properties of PLA, fine-tune PLA properties by triggering PLA's crystallisation rate during melt processing, and the strongly emerging field of 3D-printing of PLA, PCL, and microbial PHA are described. Finally, the authors familiarise the reader with the application of mixed microbial cultures to produce PHA heteropolyesters with different thermo-mechanical properties in dependence on cultivation strategy and the microbial species composition. This compilation of new biomaterials with surprising functions and performance, based on these natural polymers will address scientists active in biopolymers production, functionalisation, characterisation, and processing towards bio-technomers. The book is also dedicated to undergraduate students of polymer chemistry and polymer processing, and to representatives of the polymer industry who are interested in developing innovative, sustainable and smart polymeric products. Activities motivated by reading this book shall boost the impatiently desired market penetration of biopolymers and their follow-up products. Such materials definitely display a socioeconomic impact by addressing prevailing ecological concerns such as depleting fossil resources, growing piles of plastic waste, and increasing global warming. The contributions to this book illustrate that bio-inspired remedies for prevalent ecological problems are already available, developed by experts in polymer sciences and engineering, or that these solutions are at least in the status of development.

"This Ebook describes the applicability of diverse natural and synthetic biopolymers and their blends in drugs, vaccines and gene delivery. It would serve as a concise body of information on biopolymers for researchers, industries and students of pharmaceu"

Biopolymers: Applications and Trends provides an up-to-date summary of the varying market applications of biopolymers characterized by biodegradability and sustainability. It includes tables with the commercial names and properties of each biopolymer family, along with biopolymers for each marketing segment, not only presenting all the major market players, but also highlighting trends and new developments in products. The book includes a thorough breakdown of the vast range of application areas, including medical and pharmaceutical, packaging, construction, automotive, and many more, giving engineers critical materials information in an area which has traditionally been more limited than conventional polymers. In addition, the book uses recent patent information to convey the latest applications and techniques in the area, thus further illustrating the rapid pace of development and need for intellectual property for companies working on new and innovative products. Provides an up-to-date summary of the varying market applications of biopolymers characterized by biodegradability and sustainability Includes tables with the commercial names and properties of each biopolymer family, along with biopolymers for each marketing segment Presents a thorough breakdown of the vast range of application areas, including medical and pharmaceutical, packaging, construction, automotive, and many more Uses recent patent information to convey the latest applications and techniques in the area, thus further illustrating the rapid pace of development and need for intellectual property

This book comprises a collection of chapters on green biopolymer nanocomposites. The book discusses the preparation, properties, and applications of different types of biodegradable polymers. An overview of recent advances in the fabrication of biopolymers nanocomposites from a variety of sources, including organic and inorganic nanomaterials, is presented. The book highlights the importance and impact of eco-friendly green nanocomposites, both environmentally and economically. The contents of this book will prove useful for students, researchers, and professionals working in the field of nanocomposites and green technology.

This book on biopolymers offers a comprehensive source for biomaterial professionals. It covers all elementary topics related to the properties of biopolymers, the production, and processing of biopolymers, applications of biopolymers, examples of biopolymers, and the future of biopolymers. Edited by experts in the field, the book highlights international professionals’ longstanding experiences and addresses the requirements of practitioners and newcomers in this field in finding a solution to their problems. The book brings together several natural polymers, their extraction/production, and physio-chemical features. The topics covered in this book are biopolymers from renewable sources, marine prokaryotes, soy protein and humus oils, biopolymer recycling, chemical modifications, and specific properties. The book also focuses on the potential and diverse applications of biogenic and bio-derived polymers. The content includes industrial applications of natural polymeric molecules and applications in key areas such as material, biomedical, sensing, packaging, biomedicine, and biotechnology, and tissue engineering applications are discussed in detail. The objective of this book is to fill the gap between the researchers working in the laboratory to cutting-edge technological applications in related industries. This book will be a very valuable reference material for graduates and post-graduate students, academic researchers, professionals, research scholars, and scientists, and for anyone who has a flavor for doing biomaterial research. The books are designed to serve as a bridge between undergraduate textbooks in biochemistry and professional literature. The book provides universal perspectives for an emerging field where classical polymer science blends with molecular biology with highlights on recent advances.

Biopolymers have the potential to cut carbon emissions and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide released when they degrade can be reabsorbed by plants, which makes them close to carbon neutral. Biopolymers are biodegradable and some are compostable, too. This book presents key topics on biopolymers, including their synthesis, characterization, and physiochemical properties, and discusses their applications in key areas such as biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental engineering. It will serve as an in-depth reference for the biopolymer industry—material suppliers and processors, producers, and fabricators—and engineers and scientists who are designing biopolymers or evaluating options for switching from traditional plastics to biopolymers.