Biopolymers in Environmental applications – Evolving material for pollution

abatement
Dr. Sk. Beebi1, Dr. Sd. Vazeeha Tahaseen2, Smt. G. Tejaswini3
1
Dept. of Chemistry, S.R.R. & C.V.R. GDC (A); 2Dept. of Bio-Chemistry, S.R.R. & C.V.R. GDC (A);
3
Dept. of Chemistry, GC (A), Rajahmandry

Abstract: Achieving the sustainable development goal, demands reduction in usage of plastics.
Almost all plastic is made from fossil fuels, especially oil and shale gas, which accounts for
approximately 10% of the global annual usage of fossil fuels. Choosing the alternative material
to plastic is need of the hour in considering environmental and economic perspective. One
possible solution to replace the plastic is bio-polymer, which is a biodegradable and
biocompatible material. Biopolymers are natural polymers produced by the cells of living
organisms. Associated with diversified properties like biodegradable, biocompatible, renewable,
sustainable, adsorption and economical aspects, biopolymers are employed in numerous
industrial applications. Biopolymer modification is recognized as a crucial technique for altering
physical and chemical properties resulting in novel materials with improved capabilities. This
allows to explore their potential in many fields such as tissue engineering, food, biomedical,
agriculture etc. Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, is a linear cationic polysaccharide.
Chitin, the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose on earth, is the structural material of
crustaceans, insects and fungi. Chitosan can be used as a biodegradable, antimicrobial food
packaging material which can be best alternative to non-biodegradable plastic-based food
packaging material. Fabrication of Chitosan composite films from mussel proteins can be
achieved due to its amphipathic and ionic properties. It is possible to tune the properties of
chitosan-based polymer materials, making a big step towards sustainable world.

Key words: Bio-polymer, Bio-degradable, Bio-compatible, Chitin, Chitosan,