Recently developed applications for natural hydrophilic polymers

• Published in: Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry (Seoul, Korea) Vol. 40; pp. 16 - 22
• Main Authors: Halake, Kantappa, Kim, Hyun Jin, Birajdar, Mallinath, Kim, Byoung Soo, Bae, Harim, Lee, CheongCheon, Kim, Yoo Jin, Kim, Sinwoo, Ahn, Soohwan, An, Su Yeoung, Jung, Seung Hwan, Lee, Jonghwi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25.08.2016; 한국공업화학회
• Subjects: Chitosan; Collagen; Gelatin; Natural polymer; Polysaccharide; 화학공학; Chitosan; Gelatin; Polysaccharide; Natural polymer; Collagen
• ISSN: 1226-086X; 1876-794X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2016.06.011

[Display omitted] Natural hydrophilic polymers have been utilized for a variety of applications, ranging from the food industry to the coatings industry. However, recent social needs have demanded rapid progress with regard to medical and environmental applications. Natural hydrophilic polymers have attracted considerable interest due to their physicochemical properties and useful functions. This report explores recent findings made in medical, environmental, and food applications of natural hydrophilic polymers and their modified polymers. Applications of these materials are based on their intrinsic biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity. Advances in the chemical modification of natural polymers as well as new source developments are overcoming the physicochemical property limits and high costs of these materials, opening up new opportunities for the development of future applications.