Why Biopolymers Are Gaining Attention In Healthcare And Other Manufacturing Sector?
Biopolymers |
Biopolymers are naturally occurring
polymers that can be found in a wide variety of biological and plant-based
materials. They can be chemically synthesised or entirely biosynthesized by
living organisms such as bacteria, plants, algae, and fungi.
The term "Biopolymers"
is often used to refer to any polymer produced from natural sources, but
specifically the term includes those that are made from biological components
such as proteins and polysaccharides. The most common of these is cellulose,
which is found in plants and other biological matter and is a key component of
a number of biological structures.
Cellulose consists of monomers of
b-(1-4)-D-glucopyranose and is synthesized by a variety of living organisms,
including plants, bacteria, and fungi. It is found in a wide range of
biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials, from cellulose paper, to fabric,
to food packaging.
Another type of biopolymer is
polyamides, which are produced by a number of Gram-positive and negative
bacteria and are known to play an important role in bacterial biofilm formation,
signaling, or as storage materials. These polyamides can be formed into
hydrogels, nano or microparticles, with many applications in the pharmaceutical
and biomedical industries.
Polyesters are also produced by
bacteria, though their natural function is less well understood than that of
other biopolymers. They are a type of glycosidic polymer with a similar
molecular structure as cellulose, and they have been shown to be suitable for a
range of medical and industrial uses as well as in food processing.
In biomedical applications, these are
used as scaffolds for tissue engineering, for example to grow skin substitutes
or to enhance the quality and function of collagen-based tissue. They are also
used as an effective delivery platform for drug delivery. The primary advantage
of biopolymers is their sustainability. Because they are produced from
biodegradable resources, they can be recycled into new materials or composted.
This is a positive development for the environment as it decreases the need for
fossil fuels that are harmful to the planet.
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