This book details polysaccharides and other important
biomacromolecules covering their source, production, structures,
properties, and current and potential application in the fields of
biotechnology and medicine. It includes a systematic discussion on
the general strategies of isolation, separation and
characterization of polysaccharides and proteins. Subsequent
chapters are devoted to polysaccharides obtained from various
sources, including botanical, algal, animal and microbial.
In the area of botanical polysaccharides, separate chapters are
devoted to the sources, structure, properties and medical
applications of cellulose and its derivatives, starch and its
derivatives, pectins, and exudate gums, notably gum arabic. Another
chapter discusses the potential of hemicelluloses (xylans and xylan
derivatives) as a new source of functional biopolymers for
biomedical and industrial applications. The algal polysaccharide,
alginate, has significant application in food, pharmaceuticals and
the medical field, all of which are reviewed in a separate chapter.
Polysaccharides of animal origin are included with separate
chapters on the sources, production, biocompatibility,
biodegradability and biomedical applications of chitin (chitosan)
and hyaluronan. With the increasing knowledge and applications of
genetic engineering there is also an introduction in the book to
nucleic acid polymers, the genome research and genetic
engineering.
Proteins and protein conjugates are covered, with one chapter
providing a general review of structural glycoproteins, fibronectin
and laminin, together with their role in the promotion of cell
adhesion in vascular grafts, implants and tissue engineering.
Another chapter discusses general aspects of a number of industrial
proteins, including casein, caseinates, whey protein, gluten and
soy proteins, with emphasis on their medical applications, and with
reference to the potential of bacterial proteins. Another natural
polymer resource, microbial polyesters, although small compared
with polysaccharides and proteins, is also gaining increasing
interest in biomedical technology and other industrial sectors. One
chapter, therefore, is devoted to microbial polyesters, with
comprehensive coverage of their biosynthesis, properties, enzymic
degradation and applications.
By dealing with biopolymers at the molecular level, the book is
aimed at the biomedical and wider materials science communities and
provides an advanced overview of biopolymers at the graduate and
postgraduate level. In addition it will appeal to both academic and
industrial life scientists who are involved in research and
development activities in the medical and biotechnology field.
General
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