Handbook of Biopolymer-Based Materials

VOLUME 1

BIOPOLYMERS: STATE OF THE ART, NEW CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES
Introduction
Biopolymers: A Niche For Fundamental Research in Soft Matter Physics
Biopolymers: An Endless Source of Applications
Topics Covered by the Book
Conclusions

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF BIOPOLYMERS: STRUCTURE, PROPERTIES, AND APPLICATIONS
Introduction
Plant Cell Wall Polysaccharides
Biocomposites
Future Outlook

BIOPOLYMERS FROM PLANTS
Introduction
Lipid and Phenolic Biopolymers
Carbohydrate Biopolymers: Polysaccharides
Isoprene Biopolymers: Natural Rubber
Concluding Remarks

BACTERIAL BIOPOLYMERS AND GENETICALLY ENGINEERED BIOPOLYMERS FOR GEL SYSTEMS APPLICATION
Introduction
Microbial Polysaccharides as Biopolymers
Microbial Biopolymers as Drug Delivery Vehicle
Polyanhydrides
Recombinant Protein Polymer Production
Recombinant Genetically Engineered Biopolymer : Elastin
Collagen as an Ideal Biopolymer
Biopolymers for Gel System
Hydrogels of Biopolymers for Regenerative Medicine
Supermacroporous Cryogel Matrix from Biopolymers
Biopolymers Impact on Environment
Conclusion

BIOPOLYMERS FROM ANIMALS
Introduction
Chitin and Hyaluronic Acid in the Living World
Milestones in Chitin History
From Trehalose to Chitin
Chitin Synthase
Regulation of Chitin Synthesis in Fungi
Organization of Chitin in the Fungal Cell Wall
Organization of Chitin in the Arthropod Cuticle
Chitin-Organizing Factors
Secretion and Cuticle Formation
Transcriptional Regulation of Cuticle Production
Chitin Synthesis Inhibitors
Noncuticular Chitin in Insects
Chitin as a Structural Element
Application of Chitin
Conclusion

POLYMERIC BLENDS WITH BIOPOLYMERS
Introduction
Starch-Based Blends
Blends with Chitosan (One Amino Group Too Much . . . )
Future Perspectives

MACRO-, MICRO-, AND NANOCOMPOSITES BASED ON BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS
Introduction
Biodegradable Polymers
Biocomposites
Nanobiocomposites

IPNS DERIVED FROM BIOPOLYMERS
Introduction
Types of IPNs
IPNs Derived from Biopolymers
Manufacture of IPNs
Characterization of IPNs
Applications of IPNs
Conclusions

ASSOCIATING BIOPOLYMER SYSTEMS AND HYALURONATE BIOMATERIALS
Introduction
Synthesis and Self-Association of Hydrophobically Modified Derivatives of Chitosan and Hyaluronic Acid in Aqueous Solution
Design of Novel Biomaterials Based on Chemically Modified Derivatives of Hyaluronic Acid
Conclusions

POLYMER GELS FROM BIOPOLYMERS
Introduction
Experimental Methods
Polymerization and Gelation Kinetics
Sol - Gel Transition and Universality Discussion
Imprinting the Gels
Heterogeneity of Hydrogels
Ionic p-Type and n-Type Semiconducting Gels
Conclusions

CONFORMATION AND RHEOLOGY OF MICROBIAL EXOPOLYSACCHARIDES
Introduction
Conformation of Polysaccharides
Secondary Solid-State Structures for Microbial Polysaccharides
Conformation in Solution: Solution Properties and Applications
Gelling Properties in the Presence of Salts
Conclusions

SULFATED POLYSACCHARIDES IN THE CELL WALL OF RED MICROALGAE
Introduction
Sulfated Polysaccharides from Red Microalgae - General Overview
Sulfated Polysaccharides of Red Microalgal Cell Walls: Chemical Aspects
Proteins in the Cell Wall of Red Microalgae
Rheology of Red Microalgal Polysaccharide Solutions
Modifications of the Sulfated Polysaccharides
Red Microalgal Sulfated Polysaccharide Bioactivities

VOLUME 2

DIELECTRIC SPECTROSCOPY AND THERMALLY STIMULATED CURRENT ANALYSIS OF BIOPOLYMER SYSTEMS

SOLID-STATE NMR SPECTROSCOPY OF BIOPOLYMERS

EPR SPECTROSCOPY OF BIOPOLYMERS

X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY: A TOOL FOR STUDYING BIOPOLYMERS

LIGHT-SCATTERING STUDIES OF BIOPOLYMER SYSTEMS

X-RAY SCATTERING AND DIFFRACTION OF BIOPOLYMERS

LARGE-SCALE STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOPOLYMER SYSTEMS BY SMALL-ANGLE NEUTRON SCATTERING

MICROSCOPY OF BIOPOLYMER SYSTEMS

RHEO-OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOPOLYMER SYSTEMS

RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOPOLYMER SYSTEMS

PHYSICAL GELS OF BIOPOLYMERS: STRUCTURE, RHEOLOGICAL AND GELATION PROPE