Biopolymers are a special class of polymers produced by living organisms. Starch, proteins and peptides, DNA, and RNA are all examples of biopolymers, in which the monomer units, respectively, are sugars, amino acids, and nucleic acids.A major but defining difference between polymers and biopolymers can be found in their structures. Polymers, including biopolymers, are made of repetitive units called monomers. Biopolymers inherently have a well defined structure: The exact chemical composition and the sequence in which these units are arranged is called the primary structure. Many biopolymers spontaneously fold into characteristic compact shapes (see also "protein folding" as well as secondary structure and tertiary structure), which determine their biological functions and depend in a complicated way on their primary structures. Structural biology is the study of the structural properties of the biopolymers. In contrast most synthetic polymers have much simpler and more random (or statistic) structures. This book presents leading-edge research from around the world in this dynamic field.

Biopolymer and Biopolymer Blends: Fundamentals, Processes, and Emerging Applications showcases the potential of biopolymers as alternative sources to conventional nonbiodegradable petroleum-based polymers. It discusses fundamentals of biopolymers and biopolymer blends from natural and synthetic sources, synthesis, and characterization. It also describes development of desired performance for specific applications in 3D printing and other emerging applications in industry, including packaging, pulp and paper, agriculture, biomedical, and marine. Introduces the fundamentals, synthesis, processing, and structural and functional properties of biopolymers and biopolymer blends Explains the fundamental framework of biopolymer blends in 3D printing, featuring current technologies, printing materials, and commercialization of biopolymers in 3D printing Reviews emerging applications, including active food packaging, electronic, antimicrobial, environmental, and more Discusses current challenges and futures prospects. Providing readers with a detailed overview of the latest advances in the field and a wealth of applications, this work will appeal to researchers in materials science and engineering, biotechnology, and related disciplines.

Biopolymer Grafting: Applications presents the latest research and developments in the practical application of these methods in industry, both to enable polymer scientists and engineers to keep up with the latest research trends, as well as to propose ideas for further research and application. Research into bio-based polymers has become increasingly prevalent. However, due to challenges related to the properties of these materials compared to synthetic polymers—such as their resistance to chemicals or weather—uptake has not dramatically increased yet. As a result, improvements in surface modification of bio-polymers through graft copolymerization are enormously important, because they will widen the scope of their applications. Relevant industries for application of these methods include automotive, construction, food, packaging, agriculture, textiles and paper. This book provides an overview of the developments made in the area of biopolymer-based graft polymers. Advantages, disadvantages and suggestions for future works are discussed, assisting materials scientists and researchers in mapping out the future of these new "green" materials through value addition to enhance their use. Helps researchers and product developers understand the applications and limitations of biopolymer copolymers or copolymers of natural polymers Offers a roadmap to future applications development in a range of different industries, including automotive, biomedical and packaging Increases familiarity with a range of biopolymer grafting processes, enabling materials scientists and engineers to improve material properties and widen the range of potential biopolymer applications

Since 1930 more than 100,000 new chemical compounds have been developed and insufficient information exists on the health assessment of 95 percent of these chemicals in which a relevant percentage are used in construction products. For instance Portland cement concrete, the most used material on the Planet (10.000 million tons/year that in the next 40 years will increase around 100 %) currently used in around 15% of total concrete production contains chemicals used to modify their properties, either in the fresh or hardened state. Biopolymers are materials that are developed from natural resources. They reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. There is a worldwide demand to replace petroleum-based materials with renewable resources. Currently bio-admixtures represent just a small fraction of the chemical admixtures market (around 20%) but with environmental awareness for constituents in construction materials generally growing (the Construction Products Regulation is being enforced in Europe since 2013), the trend towards bio-admixtures is expected to continue. This book provides an updated state-of-the-art review on biopolymers and their influence and use as admixtures in the development of eco-efficient construction materials. - Provides essential knowledge for researchers and producers working on the development of biopolymer-modified construction materials - Discusses the various types of biopolymers currently available, their different production techniques, their use as bio-admixtures in concretes and mortars and applications in other areas of civil engineering such as soil stability, wood preservation, adhesives and coatings - All contributions are made from leading researchers, who have intensive involvement in the design and use of biopolymers in construction materials

Sustainable and green eco-friendly remediation technologies to tackle environmental issues are currently being developed. This book covers advancements and achievements in the application of tailored biopolymers for green environmental pollution remediation technologies. It covers plant-based and animal sourced biopolymers, composites and biopolymer-based membrane technology. This book covers all the chapters in the form of a review which gives a comprehensive outlook on each of the topics covered in the chapters, thus quite useful for graduates, researchers and academicians.

This book covers latest information on organic and inorganic waste management, and how the waste can be utilized as an energy source. An increasing world population and climate change rate hint that environmental health needs a sustainable waste recycling system worldwide. Management of wastes material plays a substantial role in the environment and climate regulation. Chapters contain modern tools and techniques for managing inorganic, biomedical, municipality, and food waste. The title covers the role of contemporary microbiology and biotechnological tools in waste management and how these microbial agents can enhance waste degradation and bioenergy production. The book covers interesting topics such as bio-ethanol production from agro-waste, microbial fuel cells, biogas production from animal waste, nanotechnology in waste recycling, etc. The primary audiences are researchers, scientists, students, and policymakers interlinked with waste management and applied microbial sectors. ​

The need for the development of biomaterials as scaffold for tissue regeneration is driven by the increasing demands for materials that mimic functions of extracellular matrices of body tissues. Unfolding the Biopolymer Landscape provides a unique account of “biopolymeric interventions” inherent to biotechnological applications, soft tissue engineering, ophthalmic drug delivery, biotextiles, environmentally responsive systems, neurotherapeutics, and emulsions-based formulations for food and pharmaceutical applications. Chapters in this volume also cover biomedical applications and implications of cationic polymers, collagen-based substrates, multifunctional polymers, shape memory biopolymers, hybrid semisynthetic biomaterials, microbial exopolysaccharides, biomaterials mimicking the extracellular microenvironment, derivatized polysaccharides, and metallic biomaterials. Each chapter is distinctly written by experts in the respective fields and emphasis is given on the mechanistic profile of the performance of biopolymers and biomedical applications. This book provides both basic and advanced biopolymer information for scientific experts and early career researchers in the field of drug delivery, tissue engineering, nanomedicine, food technology, peptide science, biomaterial design, and nutrition. This volume provides a unique account of “biopolymeric interventions” inherent to biotechnological applications, soft tissue engineering, ophthalmic drug delivery, biotextiles, environmentally responsive systems, neurotherapeutics, and emulsions-based formulations for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Revolutionize the search for sustainable industry with these biodegradable materials The search for biodegradable materials has become an increasingly essential component of the global response to climate change and the urgent need for more sustainable industrial processes. Biodegradable polymers, either synthetic or natural, have become an explosive research subject as their applications in food, medicinal, and pharmaceutical industries become more and more apparent. There is an urgent need for chemists and other professionals working in these industries to understand the range of available biopolymers and how to use them. Biopolymers in Pharmaceutical and Food Applications presents an overview of all currently-known food-safe polymers and their applications for food and pharmaceutical technology. Its grasp of recent sustainable trends in biopolymer production and distribution make it a one-stop shop for researchers and industry professionals looking to understand the future of sustainable food production, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Comprehensive and accessible, it has never been timelier as a contribution to these key industries. Readers of the two volumes of Biopolymers in Pharmaceutical and Food Applications will also find: Treatment of biopolymers including collagen, chitosan, carrageenan, and more Detailed discussion of drug delivery systems incorporating plant- and animal-based biopolymers An editor with extensive research and teaching experience in biopolymer and pharmaceutical research Biopolymers in Pharmaceutical and Food Applications is ideal for polymer chemists, pharmaceutical chemists, food scientists, and any other researcher looking to work with biodegradable polymers.