Biopolymers and their applications in

drug delivery
Abstract
Introduction
Biopolymers used in drug delivery
Biopolymers are the polymers which are synthesised and produced
by the living organisms (yadav et al 2015). Biopolymers are
biodegradable in nature (degraded either enzymatically or non
enzymatically).
Chitosan:

Chitosan is polycationic linear polymeric chain

composed of -(1-4) linked D-glucosamine and N acetyl D glucosamine. It is

derived from partial deacetylation of chitin. The cationic nature of chitosan
allows it to form the multilayered structures or electrostatic complex with the
other polymers( synthetic or natural). Chitosan has some properties which make it
suitable

for the

drug delivery

such

as

biocompatibility, non

toxic,

biodegradablility, antitumour, antimicrobial activities etc( cheung et at 2015).

Chitosan is soluble in dilute acidic solutions such as acetic acid , citric , tartaric
acid . 1%-3% dilute acetic acid is used for making chitosan solution. Chitosan has
soem therapeutic property such as lowering of cholestrol, antiulcer,wound healing
etc. Chitosan has mucoadhesive property due to eletrostatic interaction between
positively charged R-NH3+ group and negatively charged mucosal membrane.
Ease in the chemical modification in chitosan mainly at C-2 position generates
various derivatives that have potential application in the pharmaceuticals and as

in drug delivery carriers. During modification the fundametal structure of

chitosan is not changed but the improved characteristics and properties are added
such as permeation of drugs, achieve colon targeting, protect acid sensitive drug,
enhancement in drug release in basic environment, overcome in limited solubility
at certain PH range etc. Chemical modification in the Chitosan is generally done
by the alteration in the hydroxy and amine functional group. Some of the
examples of chitosan derivaties are N-trimethyl chitosan(TMC), N-(2-hyroxy)
propyl 3-trimethyl chitosan chloride(HTCC), trimethy chitosan cystiene (TMCcy),

chitosan

succinate

,chitosan

pthalate,

mono

N-carboxymethyl

chitosan(MCC) etc. (Ahmed et al 2016)

figure1: structure of chitosan repeating units.

Gelatine:

Gelatine

is

the

natural

biodegradable

and

biocompatible bioploymer due to which it is widely used in

pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. Gelatine has

property to form thermoreversible gel due to which it fits as the

carrier for the drug delivery. Gelatine is the water soluble
polypeptide which can be obtained by enzymatic, acidic or
alkaline hydrolysis of collegen which is the one of the most
common protien present in skin bones and connective tissues.
The

cross

linking

degree

of

gelatine

directly

affects

its

mechanical properties , swelling behaviour , thermal properties

and its physiochemical properties.

Gelatine

has

various

properties which make it fit as the drug delivery system such as

gelatine dissolves in aqueous environment therefore it can be
used for long term delivery system. Gelatine has versatility in its
properties

i.e.

its

properties

can

be

optimized

as

per

requirement, such as by crosslinking of gelatine its mechanical

and thermal properties can be improved. Isoelectric point of
gelatine can be adjusted as per the electrostatic properties of
drug by acidic or alkaline solutions. Gelatine is hydrophyllic in
nature due to which it enables the body fluids to penetrate into
the particles and thus increases the diffussion mediated release
of drug. Drug release profile of gelatine can be optimized by
changing its source and extent of cross linking. Gelatine
properties enables it choosing optimal environment for the drug
release. Today gelatine nano particles are widely used as
encapsulated drug delivery other than that it is used as gelatine
microparticles , gelatine fibres , as liposomes, gelatine based
hydrogels

and

bioadhesives

etc.(

foox

et

al

2015).

figure2.typical structure of gelatine

Alginate

and

keratine:

Alginate

(ALA)

is

an

anionic

polysaccaride which is a copolymer of -D-mannorunate and C-5

epimer -L-glucoronate which are covalently linked with each
other in random sequence. Alginate is widely present in the cell
walls of the algae(brown algae). It is low toxic and biocompatible
biopolymer with mild gelation properties which is easily achieved
by addition of divalent cations.due to its interesting properties
and cheap cost it is widely used for scaffholding materials . They
are used micro capsules , micro spheres, fibres, foams etc.
(gupta et al 2015)
Keratine is a class of fibrous structural protien. In its solid state
the content of cystine is very high which enables it to form
macroscopic

structures.

Due

to

its

biocompatibility

and

biodegradability and ability of accelerating the growth of

fibroplast it is widely used in tissue engineering. (gupta et al
2015). Combination of both the polymers are used for various
applications in drug delivery.

Figure-3 stucture of alginate.

PVA (poly vinyl alcohol):

 Discussions:
References:
1.