This handbook focuses on biopolymers for both environmental and biomedical applications. It shows recent advances in technology in all areas from chemical synthesis or biosynthesis to end use applications. These areas have not been covered in a single book before and they include biopolymers for chemical and biotechnological modifications, material structures, characterization, processing, properties, and applications. After the introduction which summarizes the importance of biopolymer in the market, the book covers almost all the topics related to polysaccharides, biofibers, bioplastics, biocomposites, natural rubber, gums, bacterial and blood compatible polymers, and applications of biopolymers in various fields.

Biopolymers are endowed with excellent attributes such as biodegradability, biocompatibility and functional versatility, which render them an edge over other polymers. Today, they find broad applications in the biomedical field and pharmaceutical world. Nanotechnology has offered tremendous opportunities to design and tailor-make biopolymers augmenting their applications further. This book presents topical articles on the synthesis and applications of biopolymers, biopolymer nanoparticles and nanocomposites. The book includes chapters on conducting polymers, vegetable oils, chitosan and cellulose based polyurethanes, polymeric hydrogels, biopolymeric nanoparticles and nanocomposites, and their applications as drug carriers and sensors in cancer therapy and others. This book would be useful for students, scholars, and scientists interested in the synthesis, biomedical and pharmaceutical applications of biopolymers and their nanocomposites.

Provides insight into biopolymers, their physicochemical properties, and their biomedical and biotechnological applications This comprehensive book is a one-stop reference for the production, modifications, and assessment of biopolymers. It highlights the technical and methodological advancements in introducing biopolymers, their study, and promoted applications. "Biopolymers for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications" begins with a general overview of biopolymers, properties, and biocompatibility. It then provides in-depth information in three dedicated sections: Biopolymers through Bioengineering and Biotechnology Venues; Polymeric Biomaterials with Wide Applications; and Biopolymers for Specific Applications. Chapters cover: advances in biocompatibility; advanced microbial polysaccharides; microbial cell factories for biomanufacturing of polysaccharides; exploitation of exopolysaccharides from lactic acid bacteria; and the new biopolymer for biomedical application called nanocellulose. Advances in mucin biopolymer research are presented, along with those in the synthesis of fibrous proteins and their applications. The book looks at microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), as well as natural and synthetic biopolymers in drug delivery and tissue engineering. It finishes with a chapter on the current state and applications of, and future trends in, biopolymers in regenerative medicine. * Offers a complete and thorough treatment of biopolymers from synthesis strategies and physiochemical properties to applications in industrial and medical biotechnology * Discusses the most attracted biopolymers with wide and specific applications * Takes a systematic approach to the field which allows readers to grasp and implement strategies for biomedical and biotechnological applications "Biopolymers for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications" appeals to biotechnologists, bioengineers, and polymer chemists, as well as to those working in the biotechnological industry and institutes.

Biopolymer-Based Composites: Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications presents a comprehensive review on recent developments in biopolymer-based composites and their use in drug delivery and biomedical applications. The information contained in this book is critical for the more efficient use of composites, as detailed up-to-date information is a pre-requirement. The information provided brings cutting-edge developments to the attention of young investigators to encourage further advances in the field of bio-composite research. Currently, biopolymers are being investigated for the design of various drug delivery and biomedical devices due to their non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible nature. Mostly, biopolymer-based solid orals, gels, hydrogel beads, and transdermal matrices have been designed in order to control drug/protein release in simulated bio-fluids. - Presents the most updated information in the field of pharmaceutical and biological sciences - Contains color figures and illustrations to help users understand key topics - Useful guide for young researchers working towards new innovations - Includes chapters covered by eminent scientists in the field

Biopolymer-Based Formulations: Biomedical and Food Applications presents the latest advances in the synthesis and characterization of advanced biopolymeric formulations and their state-of-the-art applications across biomedicine and food science. Sections cover the fundamentals, applications, future trends, environmental, ethical and medical considerations, and biopolymeric architectures that are organized in nano, micro and macro scales. The final section of the book focuses on novel applications and recent developments. This book is an essential resource for researchers, scientists and advanced students in biopolymer science, polymer science, polymer chemistry, polymer composites, plastics engineering, biomaterials, materials science, biomedical engineering, and more. It will also be of interest to R&D professionals, scientists and engineers across the plastics, food, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. - Provides in-depth coverage of methods for the characterization of the physical properties of biopolymeric architectures - Supports a range of novel applications, including scaffolds, implant coatings, drug delivery, and nutraceutical encapsulation systems - Includes the use of experimental data and mathematical modeling, thus enabling the reader to analyze and compare the properties of different polymeric gels

Tailor-Made and Functionalized Biopolymer Systems: For Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications covers the design and application of these functionalized and tailor-made biopolymers and biopolymer systems intended for drug delivery and biomedical applications. Various concepts, design protocols and biomedical applications of tailor-made biopolymer systems are covered, guiding the reader from theoretical knowledge to practical application. Authored by an array of experts from global institutions, this book offers an interdisciplinary approach to how tailor-made biopolymers lead to novel drug delivery and treatment solutions. This will be a useful reference to a broad audience, including biomedical engineers, materials scientists, pharmacologists and chemists. - Provides a concise overview of tailor-made and functionalized biopolymer systems for biomedical applications - Covers a range of modified biopolymers, biopolymeric composites and biopolymer-based systems in drug delivery, development of artificial organs, diagnostic applications, and more - Describes characterization, synthesis and functionalization of biopolymers and biopolymers systems

Polymers are important and attractive biomaterials for researchers and clinical applications due to the ease of tailoring their chemical, physical and biological properties for target devices. Due to this versatility they are rapidly replacing other classes of biomaterials such as ceramics or metals. As a result, the demand for biomedical polymers has grown exponentially and supports a diverse and highly monetized research community. Currently worth $1.2bn in 2009 (up from $650m in 2000), biomedical polymers are expected to achieve a CAGR of 9.8% until 2015, supporting a current research community of approximately 28,000+. Summarizing the main advances in biopolymer development of the last decades, this work systematically covers both the physical science and biomedical engineering of the multidisciplinary field. Coverage extends across synthesis, characterization, design consideration and biomedical applications. The work supports scientists researching the formulation of novel polymers with desirable physical, chemical, biological, biomechanical and degradation properties for specific targeted biomedical applications. - Combines chemistry, biology and engineering for expert and appropriate integration of design and engineering of polymeric biomaterials - Physical, chemical, biological, biomechanical and degradation properties alongside currently deployed clinical applications of specific biomaterials aids use as single source reference on field. - 15+ case studies provides in-depth analysis of currently used polymeric biomaterials, aiding design considerations for the future