Preface

Polysaccharides are versatile and abundant biopolymers derived from natural resources which have emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional polymers or traditional plastics. Due to their unique properties, such as good stability, safety, low tox-icity, low cost, hydrophilicity, supramolecular structure, gelation ability, biodegradability and flexibility, polysaccharides have been the subject of multidisciplinary research in the fields of chemistry, physics, food science, materials science and biology. This book presents the entire spectrum of polysaccharide-related topics-from basic concepts to commercial market applications. The chapters cover various sources, classifications, properties, charac-terizations, processing methods, rheologies and fabrications of polysaccharide-based mate-rials and their composites and gels. Also covered are the applications of polysaccharides in cosmetics, food science, drug delivery, biomedicine, biofuel production, the applications, packaging, chromatography and environmental remediation. In addition to incorporating industrial applications and filling in the gap between exploratory works in the laboratory and viable applications in related ventures, this book also reviews the fabrication of inor-ganic and carbon nanomaterials from polysaccharides.

Since recent developments in the field are highlighted and real examples of polysaccha-rides in practice are provided along with key references, this book is an invaluable resource for both industry professionals and entrepreneurs in the field. As can be seen from the range of topics covered in the chapters summarized below, the book is also essential read-ing for industrialists, scientists, university professors, lecturers, researchers, doctoral and master students working in the fields of polymer science and technology, material science, chemistry, biology, and medicine.

Chapter 1 describes the composition of aloe vera mucilaginous gel, its major polysac-charides and their applications. The processes for obtaining the mucilaginous gel and its polysaccharide fractions, as well as the analytical methods applied for the quantification of total carbohydrates, oligosaccharides, acemannan, and free sugars are addressed.

Chapter 2 provides details about the cell wall of plant, algae, fungi and bacteria as the best reservoir of polysaccharides. Different types of polysaccharides like cellulose, hemi-cellulose and pectin representing the most prominent component of the cell wall are dis-cussed. Furthermore, various applications of polysaccharides in living organisms ranging from their structure to biological signaling are described. Additionally, various commercial applications of polysaccharides in pharmaceutical, paper, cosmetic and food industries are highlighted.

Chapter 3 primarily concentrates on the major marine polysaccharides, which in light of their diversity and complexity are addressed along with their underlying fundamental principles.

Chapter 4 provides details on the seaweed polysaccharides-agar, alginate, carrageenan, fucoidan, laminarin and ulvan-which have profound applications in food, pharmaceutical and many other chemical fields. Chemical structures and properties of polysaccharides are also discussed. Additionally, procedures for seaweed polysaccharides' extraction and appli-cation areas are presented in detail.

Chapter 5 deals with all aspects of polysaccharide. It also discusses variable methods to alter agar characteristics according to the type of work, the heterogeneity, synergies, physico-chemical and chemical properties along with mass spectroscopic, NMR, and XRD analyses.

Chapter 6 addresses the major properties and classifications of natural polysaccharides and deals with the applications of these green and sustainable resources in many different fields and industries, including biomedicine, food, cosmetics, textiles, wastewater treat-ment, and energy production.

Chapter 7 discusses the properties of chitosan enhanced by the addition of various functional groups. The understanding of chitosan derivatives for various biomedical, envi-ronmental, and food applications which can help in the development of other novel appli-cations are also discussed.

Chapter 8 discusses six different types of green seaweed containing a large amount of high-value polysaccharides (sulfated galactans, ulvan, sulfated arabinans, sulfated arab-inogalactans and mannans) in their biomass composition. Additionally, these extracted natural carbohydrates have important physiological and biological roles such as having anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, antioxidant, anticoagulant, and anti-tumor effects in the human body.

Chapter 9 reveals the specific functional properties and nutritional value in the food applications of salep powder produced from tubers of the Orchidaceae family, an important glucomannan source. The production, cultivation, purification, deacetylation and depo-lymerization of glucomannan show new functional properties, which are summarized in detail.

Chapter 10 provides concise information on the properties and applications of exudate gums in different fields and industries, such as food, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, paint, cosmetic, nanobiotechnology, and non-food, due to their renewability, low cost, nontoxic-ity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Also, minor tree gums and their applications are briefly covered.

Chapter 11 deals with cellulose types and configurations. Plant- and animal-based sources are listed and explained. Also, mechanical and chemical methods for plant decon-struction are discussed. Moreover, different cellulosic derivatives are discussed in detail, encompassing their properties and applications.

Chapter 12 provides a detailed discussion on starch structure, its physicochemical prop-erties and application of starch and its derivatives. Also, methods of starch modification are briefly discussed.

Chapter 13 discusses the crystallization behavior of polysaccharides and techniques used in the determination of their crystallization. Applications of crystalline polysaccharides for packaging and biomedical needs are specifically outlined.

Chapter 14 describes the significance of polysaccharides employed for tissue engi-neering applications. The principles involved, the biomaterials used, and different scaf-fold fabrication techniques employed are discussed. Emphasis is given to the applications of different polysaccharide-based scaffolds. The necessity to improve the efficiency of polysaccharide-based scaffolds is described.

Chapter 15 discusses the structure of polysaccharides and how structural integration plays a pivotal role in governing the polysaccharide dissolution in water. Polysaccharide solubility is explained based on various factors such as intermolecular forces, molecular weight, branching, and chemical modification of biopolymer.

Chapter 16 is devoted to nanomaterials, such as aerogels, graphene sponge, quantum dots and nanotubes, produced from natural polysaccharides: plant and bacterial cellulose, chitosan, and alginate. The effect of carbonization conditions on the morphology and func-tional properties of biocarbon is considered with a focus on the practical application of the nanomaterials.

Chapter 17 presents the main structural properties of the most relevant types of poly-saccharides. Significant investigations on the rheological behavior of polysaccharides and complex systems derived from them are discussed in regards to the polymer chemical structure, including the applicability of such materials.

Chapter 18 elaborates the use of novel gum-based nanocomposites with particular emphasis on their biomedical applications. In contrast to their synthetic counterparts, the naturally occurring gum polysaccharides and their derived nanostructured materials exhibit a range of applications in the biomedical sector owing to their exceptional struc-tures, physicochemical properties, and functionalities.

Chapter 19 discusses the crucial physical and chemical properties of alginate. It also summarizes the important applications of alginate in biomedical fields such as bone tissue engineering, and in pharmaceutical applications such as wound dressing, protein delivery, and delivery of vaccines.

Chapter 20 provides detailed information about the biological function, modes of action, and the application of marine-derived functional polysaccharide as a sustainable solution that could mitigate several challenges affecting mankind.

Chapter 21 discusses various polysaccharide-based nanostructured materials and nanoparticles and their importance in food industries. It also includes fabrication of nano- and microparticles using various methods such as electrospinning, dip coating, film cast-ing, and physical mixing, layer-by-layer assembly, colloidal assembly and co-precipitation, in-situ nanoparticles preparation and ionotropic gelation. The biocompatibility of carbon-based nanomaterials is also discussed.

Chapter 22 describes the anticancer potential of polysaccharides and their utilization in anticancer therapy. Several modes of action of polysaccharides to treat cancer are elab-orated. Also discussed are the applications of anticancer polysaccharides in different types of cancers and the anticancer effects of polysaccharides in traditional therapies such as chemotherapy.

Chapter 23 discusses the various sources of polysaccharides-based biomaterials and their properties that are beneficial for the development of membranes. The application of...