This handbook focuses on biopolymers for both environmental and biomedical applications. It shows recent advances in technology in all areas from chemical synthesis or biosynthesis to end use applications. These areas have not been covered in a single book before and they include biopolymers for chemical and biotechnological modifications, material structures, characterization, processing, properties, and applications. After the introduction which summarizes the importance of biopolymer in the market, the book covers almost all the topics related to polysaccharides, biofibers, bioplastics, biocomposites, natural rubber, gums, bacterial and blood compatible polymers, and applications of biopolymers in various fields.

This handbook focuses on biopolymers for both environmental andbiomedical applications. It shows recent advances intechnology in all areas from chemical synthesis or biosynthesis toend use applications. These areas have not been covered in a singlebook before and they include biopolymers for chemical andbiotechnological modifications, material structurescharacterization, processing, properties, and applications.After the introduction which summarizes the importance ofbiopolymer in the market, the book covers almost all the topicsrelated to polysaccharides, biofibers, bioplastics, biocompositesnatural rubber, gums, bacterial and blood compatible polymers, andapplications of biopolymers in various fields.

Introductory Preface.About the Editors.Part I. Polysaccharides.1. Hyaluronic Acid: A Natural Biopolymer (Juergen SchillerNicola Volpi, Eva Hrabárova, and Ladislav Soltes).2. Polysaccharide Graft Copolymers Synthesis, Propertiesand Applications (B. S. Kaith, Hemant Mittal, Jaspreet KaurBhatia, and Susheel Kalia).3. Natural Polysaccharides: From Membranes to Active FoodPackaging (Keith J. Fahnestock, Marjorie S. Austero, andCaroline L. Schauer).4. Starch as Source of Polymeric Materials (Antonio A. J.Carvalho).5. Grafted Polysaccharides: Smart Materials of Future, Synthesisand Applications (Gautam Sen, Ashoke Sharon, and SagarPal).6. Chitosan: The Marine based Biopolymer for Applications(Debasish Sahoo, and P. L. Nayak).Part II. Bioplastics and Biocomposites.7. Biopolymers Based-on Carboxylic Acids Derived from RenewableResources (Sushil Kumar, Nikhil Prakash, and DipaloyDatta).8. Characteristics and Applications of PLA (Sandra DomenekCecile Courgneau, and Violette Ducruet).9. Biobased Composites & Applications (Smita Mohanty, andSanjay K. Nayak).Part III. Miscellaneous Biopolymers.10. Cassia Seed Gums: A Renewable Reservoir for SynthesizingHigh Performance Materials for Water Remediation (Vandana Singhand Pramendra Kumar).11. Bacterial Polymers: Resources, Synthesis and Applications(GVN Rathna, and Sutapa Gosh).12. Gum Arabica: A Natural Biopolymer (A. Sarkar).13. Gluten: A Natural Biopolymer (S. Georgiev, and TerezaDekova).14. Natural Rubber: Production, Properties, and Applications(Thomas Kurian, and N. M. Mathew).15. Electronic Structures and Conduction Properties ofBiopolymers (Mohsineen Wazir, Vinita Arora, and A. K.Bakhshi).Part IV. Biopolymers for Specific Applications.16. Applications of Biopolymers in Agriculture with SpecialReference to Role of Plant Derived Biopolymers in Crop Protection(S. Niranjan Raj, S. N. Lavanya, J, Sudisha, and H. ShekarShetty).17. Modified Cellulose Fibers as a Biosorbent for the OrganicPollutants (Sami Boufi, and Sabrine Alila).18. Polymers and Biopolymers in Pharmaceutical Technology(István Erös).19. Biopolymers Employed in Drug Delivery (Betina GiehlZanetti Ramos).20. Natural Polymeric Vectors in Gene Therapy (Patit P.Kundu, and Kishor Sarkar).