By Taha KhanReviewed by Lexie CornerApr 25 2024Natural polymers are complex molecules composed of long chains of repeating units found in nature. Derived from widely available renewable sources, they offer significant environmental and economic benefits. Their sustainability and low cost make them a superior alternative to synthetic polymers.1,2 This article discusses the significance of natural polymers, their applications, and their potential to shape a more sustainable future.
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Sources and Types of Natural Polymers
The sources of natural polymers can be plant-based, animal-based, and marine-derived.
For instance, plant-based polymers like cellulose are widely used in paper and textile industries for their biodegradability and strength.
Animal-derived polymers such as chitosan, extracted from chitin in crustacean shells, provide biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties, which make them valuable in applications like wound dressings.
Similarly, marine-derived natural polymers such as alginate from seaweed possess gel-forming abilities that are useful in food coating and pharmaceutical encapsulation.2
Innovations in Natural Polymer Applications
The sustainability and versatile properties of natural polymers have enabled several industries to adopt them as superior alternatives to synthetic polymers for various critical applications.
For instance, in packaging, biodegradable films and coatings made from starch or cellulose are now replacing conventional plastics as eco-friendly alternatives, thereby reducing environmental impact.2
Similarly, in construction, biopolymers derived from plants or algae are being incorporated into sustainable building materials, which helps reduce carbon footprint.3
Natural polymers have a major impact on the healthcare industry. For example, chitosan is utilized in advanced wound dressings and tissue engineering scaffolds due to its antimicrobial properties, promoting healing and reducing infections.
Similarly, natural polymers such as hyaluronic acid, chitosan, sodium alginate, cellulose, heparin, and proteins are utilized in transdermal drug delivery systems for tumor therapy due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.4
How Are Natural Polymers Used in Drug Delivery Systems?
Biopolymer-Coated Nanoparticles
In a 2023 study, researchers explored using natural biopolymers as smart coatings for mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) in drug delivery systems. These biopolymers, derived from living organisms, offer advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity.
Such coatings can control drug release, minimizing premature leakage and ensuring targeted delivery while mitigating side effects. Combining different biopolymers also helps develop multi-responsive drug delivery systems, enhancing precision in treatment.
The study acknowledges challenges like scaling production and evaluating in vivo compatibility but also suggests that ongoing biopolymer-coated MSNs could advance toward clinical applications, offering tailored solutions for patient care.5
Chitosan-Powered GRDDS Innovations
In another recent study, researchers explored gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDSs) using the natural polymer chitosan.
The study emphasizes recent developments in leveraging chitosan to fabricate various types of nano- and microstructured GRDDSs, including expandable, density-based, magnetic, mucoadhesive, and superporous systems.
This research aimed to assist in the exploration of novel strategies to develop safe and efficient GRDDSs for disease treatment by highlighting the biological and chemical properties of chitosan and its applications in drug delivery.6
Application of Natural Polymers in Next-Generation Electronics
In a 2023 study, researchers explored the integration of natural polymers and ionic liquids (ILs) for electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), focusing on enhancing energy device performance and sustainability.
They investigated three main scenarios: using biopolymers as host matrices for IL-support, employing biopolymers as polymeric fillers, and utilizing biopolymers as backbone polymer substrates for synthetic polymer grafting. The study also covered the use of biopolymers as electrode materials, offering advantages such as flexibility and biocompatibility.7
Challenges addressed in the study included improving robustness and conductivity, as well as achieving proper dispersion and compatibility of biopolymeric and synthetic polymeric matrices for effective interface bonding.
This study provides the groundwork for developing biopolymer-based electronics with enhanced performance and eco-friendliness, potentially impacting various applications, including wearable devices and implantable bioelectronics. 7
Challenges in Scaling and Production
The large-scale production of natural polymers faces several challenges, including limited availability and process complexity. While polymers like cellulose are abundant in nature, others may be geographically restricted or require specific cultivation practices.
Similarly, extracting and processing natural polymers often involves specialized techniques that can be energy-intensive. However, many researchers are proposing cost-effective solutions to address scalability challenges.
For instance, a 2018 study focused on utilizing agricultural waste for biopolymer production. The researchers extracted polysaccharides from various agro-industrial wastes, including tamarind seeds, okra head waste, sugarcane bagasse, and residual rice mill wastes. These polysaccharides exhibited high thermal stability, with the exception of okra polysaccharide.
The study also examined the chemical nature and particle morphology of the extracted polysaccharides using analytical methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction, particle size analysis, and scanning electron microscopy.
The findings of the study suggest the potential of utilizing waste materials for scalable biopolymer production, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to petrochemical plastics.8
The Future of Natural Polumers Sustainable Material Development
The future of natural polymers is linked to continued research and development aimed at addressing existing challenges.
Advances in genetic engineering may allow for the creation of tailor-made natural polymers with superior properties. Similarly, the development of novel processing techniques could optimize efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of natural polymer production.
Collaboration between researchers, industry players, and policymakers is imperative. As research and innovation continue, natural polymers transform various industries, delivering a more eco-conscious approach to material development and global manufacturing practices.
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References and Further Reading
- Caillol, S. (2020). Special Issue “Natural Polymers and Biopolymers II”. Molecules. doi.org/10.3390%2Fmolecules26010112
- Silva, AC., Silvestre, AJ., Vilela, C., Freire, CS. (2021). Natural polymers-based materials: A contribution to a greener future. Molecules. doi.org/10.3390%2Fmolecules27010094
- Plank, J. (2004). Applications of biopolymers and other biotechnological products in building materials. Applied microbiology and biotechnology. doi.org/10.1007/s00253-004-1714-3
- Han, W., Liu, F., Li, Y., Liu, G., Li, H., Xu, Y., Sun, S. (2023). Advances in Natural Polymer‐Based Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems for Tumor Therapy. Small. doi.org/10.1002/smll.202301670
- Dumontel, B., Conejo-Rodríguez, V., Vallet-Regí, M., Manzano, M. (2023). Natural biopolymers as smart coating materials of mesoporous silica nanoparticles for drug delivery. Pharmaceutics. doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020447
- de Souza, MPC., Sábio, RM., de Cassia Ribeiro, T., Dos Santos, AM., Meneguin, A. B., Chorilli, M. (2020). Highlighting the impact of chitosan on the development of gastroretentive drug delivery systems. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ijbiomac.2020.05.104
- Shamshina, J. L., Berton, P. (2023). Renewable biopolymers combined with ionic liquids for the next generation of supercapacitor materials. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. doi.org/10.3390/ijms24097866
- Mohan, CC., et al. (2018). Extraction and characterization of polysaccharides from tamarind seeds, rice mill residue, okra waste and sugarcane bagasse for its Bio-thermoplastic properties. Carbohydrate polymers. doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.01.057
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