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

Over the past few decades, there has been unprecedented progress in the design of versatile biopolymer-based nanoplatforms for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, particularly due to their attractive traits, including excellent biocompatibility, outstanding biodegradability, low immunogenicity, and facile chemical modifiability. Biopolymer-Based Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications serves as a clear and detailed body of information on the synthesis and characterization of biopolymer-based materials in nanomedicine. This book describes various nanomaterials consisting of biopolymers including polysaccharides (i.e., derived from plants, animals, bacteria, algae, and fungi) and polypeptides in terms of their structures, synthetic protocols, and characterization and uses as therapeutic drugs and gene delivery carriers and in other biomedical fields. The chapters of this book, which are contributed by internationally renowned scholars working in the arena of biopolymer-based nanomaterials, would offer a wide vision on the potential future applications of these nanomaterials in the delivery and targeting of bioactive molecules of pharmaceutical interests and in tissue engineering, biosensing, bioimaging, and diagnostic purposes. The state-of-the-art information presented in the book would also encourage young investigators and researchers to further bring cutting-edge developments in the field of nanomedicine in the near future. - Provides a scholarly insight into the recent development of biopolymer-based nanomaterials - Focuses on the diverse cutting-edge techniques for the fabrication of native and modified biopolymer-based nanoplatforms and their applications in drug delivery and biomedical fields - Assesses the opportunities and challenges of biopolymer-based nanocarriers in pharmaceutical and biomedical research

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

Biopolymers are becoming an increasingly important area of research as traditional chemical feedstocks run low and concerns about environmental impacts increase. One area of particular interest is their use for more sustainable development of metal nanoparticles. Biopolymer-Based Metal Nanoparticle Chemistry for Sustainability Applications, Volume 2 reviews key uses of biopolymers and biopolymer-based metal nanoparticles for a range of key sustainability-focused applications. After providing contextual examples of applications across the fields of food science, biomedicine and biochemistry, the book goes on to explore further sustainability-focused applications of Biopolymer-Based Metal Nanoparticles in such important areas as catalysis, environmental science, biosensing, and energy. - Provides an overview of biopolymer-based metal nanoparticles for a wide range of applications - Provides technological details on the synthesis of natural polymer-based metal nanoparticles - Explores the role of biopolymer-based metal nanoparticles for more sustainable catalytic processes

With the growing concern for the environment and the rising price of crude oil, there is increasing demand for non-petroleum-based polymers from renewable resources. Biopolymer films have been regarded as potential replacements for synthetic films in food packaging due to a strong marketing trend toward environmentally friendly materials. Biopolymer-based films and coatings display good barrier properties, flexibility, transparency, economic profitability, and environmental compatibility. Therefore, they have successfully been used for packaging various food products. Biopolymer-Based Films and Coatings: Trends and Challenges elaborates on the recent methods and ingredients for making biodegradable films and coatings, as well as the current requirements for food security and environmental issues. This book also explores films and coatings prepared with essential oils, antimicrobial substances, and bioactive components that make up this active packaging. Films and coating chapters are based on biopolymers used to prepare films and coatings, that is, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and so on. This book provides a platform for researchers and industrialists on the basic and advanced concepts of films and coatings. Key Features Provides a comprehensive analysis of recent findings on biopolymers (carbohydrate-, protein-, and lipid-) based films and coatings Contains a wealth of new information on the properties, functionality, and applications of films and coatings Presents possible active and functional components and ingredients for developing films and coatings. Guides start-up researchers on where to start the latest research work in packaging It has been estimated that the global production of bioplastics is set to hike from ~2.11 in 2020 to ~2.87 million tonnes in 2025. Further, the demand for fresh, ready-to-eat, or semi-finished foods is increasing, and the need to maintain food safety and quality further exacerbates the challenges in the supply chain, especially with the globalization of food trade and the use of centralized processing facilities for food distribution. It is an urgent requirement to increase shelf life and reduce food product loss. Considering the great market demand for biodegradable material-based packaging systems, this book comes at an opportune time to enable researchers and food scientists to develop suitable solutions considering the sustainability and economic feasibility of the process.

Biomass, Biopolymer-Based Materials and Bioenergy: Construction, Biomedical and Other Industrial Applications covers a broad range of material types, including natural fiber reinforced polymer composites, particulate composites, fiberboard, wood fiber composites, and plywood composite that utilize natural, renewable and biodegradable agricultural biomass. In terms of bioenergy, the authors explore not only the well-known processing methods of biofuels, but also the kinetics of biofuels production pathways, a techno-economic analysis on biomass gasification, and biomass gasification with further upgrading into diesel additives and hybrid renewable energy systems for power generation. Further chapters discuss advanced techniques for the development of biomass-based composites, biopolymer-based composites, biomass gasification, thermal kinetic design and techno-economic analysis of biomass gasification. By introducing these topics, the book highlights a totally new research theme in biopolymer-based composite materials and bioenergy. - Covers a broad range of different research fields, including biopolymer and natural fiber reinforcement used in the development of composites - Demonstrates key research themes in materials science and engineering, including materials processing, polymer science, biofuel processing, and thermal and kinetic studies - Presents valuable information for those working in research and development departments, and for graduate students (Masters and PhDs)

Natural Biopolymers in Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering systematically examines a broad range of natural polymers and their applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. The book thoroughly collates the most relevant and up-to-date research on natural biopolymers, covering a variety of key natural polymer types such as chitin, chitosan, alginate, guar gum and collagen. It is divided into two sections, covering drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Each section focuses on natural biopolymers in the form of scaffolds, membranes, films, gels and nanoparticles, thus helping the reader select not only the most appropriate polymer type, but also the most relevant structure. This comprehensive resource is ideal for materials scientists, biomedical engineers, tissue engineers, pharmaceutical scientists and anyone interested in developing novel materials for biomedical applications. - Covers both drug delivery and tissue engineering applications of natural biopolymers, helping bridge the gap between the two - Details a range of natural polymer types, ensuring all relevant options are presented - Discusses the benefits, challenges and clinical translation of natural biopolymers

The importance of processing and packaging food items so that they are safe for the consumer cannot be underestimated. Sensors have an important role to play in this, and sensing technologies have attracted the attention of the scientific community in view of increasing environmental and societal concerns. This edited volume presents a collection of ten chapters discussing the current trends of bio- and nano-sensing technologies for processing and packaging of food items. Starting with an overview chapter which introduces the field, the book goes on to discuss novel applications related to preservation, authenticity and safety of foods. Intelligent food packaging and nano-based sensing are covered, and the book finishes with a look towards the pros and cons of how this will revolutionise sensing throughout the food sector. It will be of benefit to scientists and practising professionals conducting research in the areas of food processing, contamination and food safety, and academic researchers and graduate students studying food technology or food engineering.

Ionotropic Cross-Linking of Biopolymers: Applications in Drug Delivery provides in-depth insights and presents the latest advances in ionotropic cross-linked biopolymeric systems for drug delivery and related applications. Sections introduce the fundamentals of ionotropic cross-linking of biopolymers, including mechanisms, chemistry, cross-linking methods and gelation. Additional content delves into ionotropically cross-linked biopolymers based on a range of sources, including alginate, pectinate, carboxymethyl cellulose, gellan gum, chitosan, carboxymethylated gums, plant polysaccharide blends, and synthetic polymer blends. This is followed by a section focusing on ionotropically cross-linked biopolymeric systems, such as polymeric nanoparticles, microparticles, beads, and reinforced matrices.The last part of the book explores specific advanced drug delivery applications, before considering future opportunities and challenges in the field. This is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students across polymer science, biomaterials, biomedicine, pharmaceutics, biotechnology, and chemistry, as well as scientists and R&D personnel working in pharmacy, drug delivery, and materials for biomedicine. - Explains chemistry, mechanisms, preparation methods and applications of biopolymeric systems - Covers a range of biopolymer sources, including alginate, pectinate, gellan gum, chitosan, and others - Guides the reader to cutting-edge applications in drug delivery, drug release, cell delivery and tissue engineering

As a result of their unique physical properties, biological membrane mimetics such as biopolymers are used in a broad range of scientific and technological applications. This comprehensive book covers new applications of biopolymers in the research and development of industrial scale nutraceutical and functional food grade products. All the major food biopolymers are included, from plant, animal and marine sources. Coverage also includes biopolymer-based drug delivery mechanisms intended for biological applications such as bio-detection of pathogens, fluorescent biological labels, and drug and gene delivery. This is the first interdisciplinary book to address this area specifically and is essential reading for those who produce the functional biopolymer materials as well as those who seek to incorporate them into appropriate nutraceutical, food and drug delivery products.