Natural and Semi-natural Polymers

Abstract

Natural polymers, also known as biopolymers, are polymers produced and isolated from living organisms such as plants, animals and microorganisms. They are biodegradable, avoiding the contamination of the planet, and they often display good biocompatibility and low toxicity with limited adverse effects. One of the main advantages of using biopolymers is the reduction of the dependence on fossil fuels, which contributes to a more sustainable planet. Among the main application fields of biopolymers are the food, the pharmaceutical, and the biomedical industries. However, their use is challenged by their limited mechanical properties (e.g., low tensile strength), which can be overcome by chemically modifying the structure to obtain semi-natural biopolymers with improved thermal and mechanical properties and greater durability. This chapter introduces the most relevant biopolymers used in biomedicine, their classifications, and some of their applications with emphasis on polysaccharides and proteins.