Cellulose and starch nanoparticles: Function and surface modifications for biomedical application

Abstract

In the last years, the use of polysaccharides in biomedical and biological application has received a significant great attention. Due to these materials derived from the biomass are cheap, non-toxic, renewable, biodegradable and compatible and could to produce materials capable to transfer to industrial scale. On the other hand, the use of nanoparticles represents the utmost materials of preference for engineer due to its excellent physiochemical properties. Starch and cellulose, are polysaccharides abundant, renewability, high strength stiffness, eco-friendliness and low cost, to be used in different biomedical applications. It is important to remark that the interaction cell-biomaterial is governed by the wettability, topography, chemistry, surface charge and/or the presence of hydrophobic and hydrophilic character. All of them also contribute to the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of the biomedical device. In order to improve these properties and reduce its limitations, modifications of these polysaccharides are needed, either physically or chemically. Physical modifications include the association with other nanomaterials or biopolymers yielding new nanohybrid materials for different applications. In contrast, chemical modifications include the substitution of the hydroxyl groups of the nanoparticle with other functional groups, (eterification, esterification, sulfonation, phosphorylation, amination), the variation of the distribution of functional groups (oxidation, cationization) or grafting side chains or crosslinking with small molecules or other polymers. This chapter summarizes the most relevance advances in the uses and potential applications of starch and cellulose nanoparticles and their derivatives in biomedicine. Their applications include, but are not limited to drug delivery devices, tissue engineering and antimicrobial activities.