Biopolymers: Biomedical and Environmental Applications [antikvár]

PrefaceThere is currently a tremendous interest in the latest information concerning polymer related topics. Experts predict the future availability of fossil resources (oil, natural gas and coal), w^hich are not renewable, varies between one and three generations. Keeping in mind the deteriorating environmental conditions caused by many factors including advancements in science and technology, population expansion, global warming, etc, researchers all over the world have recently focused on biopolymers from renewable resources with much success.This book focuses on different biopolymers and their applications in various fields. It highlights recent advances in technology in many areas from chemical synthesis and biosynthesis to end-user applications. These areas have not been covered in a single book before, and include information on biopolymers from chemical and biotechnological modifications, material structures, processing, characterization, properties, and applications.Chapters cover nearly every conceivable topic related to polysaccharides, such as biofibers, bioplastics, biocomposites, natural rubbers, proteins, gums, and bacterial polymers. Given the global context it does not seem preposterous to consider the materials discussed as the polymers of the future.The book distills recent research conducted by the scientific community. It is arranged in four parts. Part I, Polysaccharides, covers hyaluronic acid, chitin and chitosan, starch and other natural polysaccharides. Polysaccharides have received more attention due to their numerous advantages such as their renew-ability, non-toxicity, biodegradability and ready availability. This interest has resulted in a great revolution leading to polysaccharides becoming on par with, and even superior to, synthetic materials. That is why a plethora of research studies have been undertaken to understand the potential of these natural polymers.Hyaluronic acid is a linear polysaccharide formed from disaccharide units containing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and glucuronic acid. Since it is present in almost all biological fluids and tissues, hyaluronic acid-based materials are very useful in biomedical applications. After cellulose, chitin is the second most abundant natural polysaccharide resource on earth. Chitin and its de-acetylated derivative chitosan are natural polymers composed of N-acetylglucosamine and glucosamine. Both chitin and chitosan have excellent properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, hemostatic activity and antimicrobial activity. Chitin and its derivatives are widely used in various fields of medicine.xvu