Biopolymers and Their Applications in Biomedicine

• Published in: Polymeric Biomaterials Vol. 1; pp. 35 - 62
• Main Authors: Kumar, Kalpitha M., Ram, Shristi, Manjula, N.G., Mayegowda, Shilpa Borehalli
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom Routledge 2023; Taylor & Francis Group
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: BC; Hyaluronic Acid; Bone Filler Materials; Orthodontic Retainers; PLA; Pure BC; Drug Release; PCL Scaffold; Silk Fibroin; Drug Delivery; Biopolymers; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Medical Grade Polymers; TUNEL; UHMWPE; Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene; Polylactic Acid; Non-toxic; Tissue Engineering; Biomedical applications; Plants; Control Wafer; Intraocular Lenses; Bone Tissue Engineering; PCL; HA; Microbes; PDMS
• DOI: 10.1201/9781003240884-3
• ISBN: 9781032146652; 1032146656; 9781032147444; 103214744X

The environmental impact of synthetic polymers with their persistent use and accumulation as non-degradable waste has raised global concern, as their disposal methods are very limited. This concern and its implications on animals, human health, and the environment have stimulated interest in researchers into studies that have led to the use of natural biopolymers. Biopolymers are larger polymeric molecules produced by living organisms that are biodegradable and non-toxic. As compared to synthetic ones, which are simple and have a more random structure, these biopolymers are complex compounds that are more defined with 3D shapes and structures. Biopolymers are derived from microorganisms or plants, and their sources include vegetable oils, fats, sugars, resins, proteins, and amino acids. Biopolymers can be a source of cellulose, lignin, alginate, chitosan, starch, and polylactic acid. Production of bioplastics in microorganisms occur during nutrient stress and they can be produced in large scale as biopolymers which are used as packaging material, disposable materials, in generating biofuels, etc. Especially, they have potential uses in biomedical applications and are of great interest and have been used in dressing wounds using gelatin, tissue engineering, as pharmaceutical carriers, drug-delivery systems, and in medical devices.