InTech Biodegradable Polymers

Chapter 6
Biodegradable Polymers
Babak Ghanbarzadeh and Hadi Almasi
Additional information is available at the end of the chapter
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1. Introduction
In developing countries, environmental pollution by synthetic polymers has assumed

dangerous proportions. Petroleum-derived plastics are not readily biodegradable and because
of their resistance to microbial degradation, they accumulate in the environment. In addition
in recent times oil prices have increased markedly. These facts have helped to stimulate interest
in biodegradable polymers. Biodegradable plastics and polymers were first introduced in
1980s. Polymers from renewable resources have attracted an increasing amount of attention
over the last two decades, predominantly due to two major reasons: firstly environmental
concerns, and secondly the realization that our petroleum resources are finite. There are many
sources of biodegradable plastics, from synthetic to natural polymers. Natural polymers are
available in large quantities from renewable sources, while synthetic polymers are produced
from non-renewable petroleum resources. Biodegradation of polymeric biomaterials involves
cleavage of hydrolytically or enzymatically sensitive bonds in the polymer leading to polymer
erosion. A vast number of biodegradable polymers have been synthesized recently and some
microorganisms and enzymes capable of degrading them have been identified.
The objective of this chapter is to classification of biodegradable polymers. The chemical

structure, sources, production and synthesis methods, physical properties (mechanical, barrier
and thermal properties) and applications of most important biodegradable polymers would
be discussed.
2. Classification and properties of biodegradable polymers
The biodegradable polymers can be classified according to their chemical composition, origin
and synthesis method, processing method, economic importance, application, etc. In the
© 2013 Ghanbarzadeh and Almasi; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms
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unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
142 Biodegradation - Life of Science
Figure 1. Schematic presentation of biobased polymers based on their origin and method of production
present chapter, biodegradable polymers classified according to their origin into two groups:
natural polymers which obtained from natural resources and synthetic polymers which
produced from oil. An overview of these categories is given in Fig. 1.
2.1. Natural biodegradable polymers
Biopolymers are polymers formed in nature during the growth cycles of all organisms; hence,
they are also referred to as natural polymers. Their synthesis generally involves enzyme-
catalyzed, chain growth polymerization reactions of activated monomers, which are typically
formed within cells by complex metabolic processes.
2.1.1. Biopolymers directly extracted from biomass
2.1.1.1. Polysaccharides
For materials applications, the principal polysaccharides of interest are cellulose and starch,
but increasing attention is being given to the more complex carbohydrate polymers produced
by bacteria and fungi, especially to polysaccharides such as xanthan, curdlan, pullulan and
hyaluronic acid. These latter polymers generally contain more than one type of carbohydrate
unit, and in many cases these polymers have regularly arranged branched structures. Because
Biodegradable Polymers 143
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of this difference, enzymes that catalyze hydrolysis reactions during the biodegradation of
each kind of polysaccharides are different and are not interchangeable.
2.1.1.1.1. Thermoplastic starch
Starch is the major polysaccharide reserve material of photosynthetic tissues and of many types
of plant storage organs such as seeds and swollen stems. The principal crops used for its
production include potatoes, corn and rice. In all of these plants, starch is produced in the form
of granules, which vary in size and somewhat in composition from plant to plant (Chandra
and Rustgi, 1998). The starch granule is essentially composed of two main polysaccharides,
amylose and amylopectin with some minor components such as lipids and proteins. Amylose
is essentially a linear molecule of (1→4)-linked α-D-glucopyranosyl units with some slight
branches by (1→6)-α-linkages (Fig. 2). Typically, amylose molecules have molecular weights
ranging from 105 to 106 gmol-1 (Buleon et al., 1998). Amylopectin is a highly branched molecule
composed of chains of α-D- glucopyranosyl residues linked together mainly by (1→4)-linkages
but with (1→6) linkages at the branch points. Amylopectin consist of hundreds of short chains
of (1→4)-linked α-D-glucopyranosyl interlinked by (1→6)-α-linkages (Fig. 2). It is an extremely
large and highly branched molecule (molecular weights ranging from 106 to 108 gmol-1).
There are three types of crystallinity in starch. They are the 'A' type mainly cereal starches such
as maize, wheat, and rice; 'B' type such as tuber starches (potato, sago); and finally the 'C' type
crystallinity which is the intermediate between A and B type crystallinity, normally found in
bean and other root starches (Blanshard, 1987). Another type of crystallinity is the Vh-type,
which is the characteristic of amylose complexed with fatty acids and monoglycerides.
Starch granules contain alternating 120-400 nm amorphous and semi-crystalline layers or

growth rings (Buleon et al., 1998). The semi-crystalline growth rings are composed of alter‐
nating amorphous and crystalline lamellae. The sum of one amorphous and one crystalline
lamella is around 9-10 nm in size. Amylopectin is often presumed to support the framework
of the semi- crystalline layers in the starch granule. The short chains with polymerization
degrees ranging between 15 and 18 form a double helical conformation (Buleon et al., 1998)
and associating into clusters. These clusters pack together to produce a structure of alternating
crystalline and amorphous lamellar composition. The side chains clusters which are predom‐
inantly linear and form double helices are responsible for the crystalline lamellae while the
branching regions of the amylopectin molecule are responsible for the amorphous lamellae.
Thermoplastic starch is plasticized starch that has been processed (typically using heat and
pressure) to completely destroy the crystalline structure of starch to form an amorphous
thermoplastic starch. Thermoplastic starch processing typically involves an irreversible order-
disorder transition termed gelatinization. Starch gelatinization is the disruption of molecular
organization within the starch granules and this process is affected by starch-water interac‐
tions. Fig. 3 highlights the gelatinization process diagrammatically (Lai and Kokini, 1991). This
figure shows raw starch granules made up of amylose (linear) and amylopectin (branched)
molecules (step (a)). Then the addition of water breaks up crystallinity and disrupts helices
(step (b)). Addition of heat and more water causes granules to swell and amylose diffuses out
Figure 2. Chemical structure of amylose and amylopectin (Buleon et al., 1998)
of the granule (step (c)). Granules, mostly containing amylopectin are collapsed and held in a
matrix of amylose (step (d)).
Thermoplastic starch is produced using dry native starch with a swelling or plastifying agent
in compound extruders without adding water. In extrusion, starch is converted by application
of both thermal and mechanical energy, and basically three phenomena occur at different
structural levels: fragmentation of starch granules; hydrogen bond cleavage between starch
molecules, leading to loss of crystallinity; and partial depolymerization of the starch polymers
(Fang and Fowler, 2003). Furthermore, the extrusion process ensures the very intimate mixing
of the polymers and any additives. By introduction of mechanical energy and heat in a
temperature range of 120-220 ˚C, crystal starch, is homogenized and melted in an extrusion
process with a plasticizer which lowers the melting point of the starch. With this process, a
permanent conversion of the molecular structure to thermoplastic starch is performed (Lorcks,
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Figure 3. Starch gelatinization process (Lai and Kokini, 1991)
1998). The thermoplastic starch is free of crystalline fractions. Molecules such as polyglycols
(e.g. glycerol, sorbitol, etc), amides and amines serve as non-volatile plasticizers for starch
(Wiedersheim and Strobel, 1991).
Depending on the starch source and processing conditions, a thermoplastic material may be
obtained with different properties suitable for various applications. Starch has been widely
used as a raw material in film production because of increasing prices and decreasing availa‐
bility of conventional film-forming resins (Chandra and Rustgi, 1998). Potential applications
of starch films include production of disposable food serviceware, food packaging, purchase
bags, composting bags and loose fill products (Xiong et al., 2008). Starch is also used in hygiene
and cosmetics. Moreover, starch has been used for many years as an additive to plastic for
various purposes. Starch was added as filler to various resin systems to make films that were
impermeable to water but permeable to water vapour (Pedroso and Rosa, 2005). Starch as
biodegradable filler in LDPE was reported (Nakamura et al., 2005). A starch-filled polyethylene
film was prepared which becomes porous after the extraction of the starch. This porous film
can be readily invaded by microorganisms and rapidly saturated with oxygen, thereby
increasing polymer degradation by biological and oxidative pathways. Starch is also useful
for making agricultural mulch films because it degrades into harmless products when placed
in contact with soil microorganisms. Starch is also used in medical applications. For example,
starch-based thermoplastic hydrogels for use as bone cements or drug-delivery carriers have
been developed through blending starch with cellulose acetate (Pereira et al., 1998; Espigares
et al., 2002).
Important properties of thermoplastic starch based materials include (Lorcks, 1998):
• compostable in accordance with DIN 54900

• high water vapour permeability
• good oxygen barrier
• not electrostatically chargeable
• low thermal stability
In general, the low resistance to water and the variations in mechanical properties under humid
conditions affect the use of starch for various applications. As water has a plasticizing power,
the material behavior changes according to the relative humidity of the air (Averous, 2002).
Strong hydrophilic character (water sensitivity) and poor mechanical properties compared to
conventional synthetic polymers are the most important disadvantages of starch which make
it unsatisfactory for some applications such as packaging purposes. Generally, many ap‐
proaches are suggested to mitigate these shortcomings. One approach is the modification of
starch. Cross-linking can be produce low water sensitive and high strength materials
(Ghanbarzadeh et al., 2010). According to Takore et al., (2001), the esterification of starch allows
the increase of its thermoplastic characteristics, as well as its thermal stability. Other approach
to improve the functional properties of the starch films is to blend starch with other polymers.
Mao et al. (2000) examined the extrusion of thermoplastic cornstarch- glycerol-polyvinyl
alcohol (PVOH) blends and noted the effect of PVOH to improve mechanical properties and
slow biodegradation. Development of the polymer nanocomposites is one of the latest
revolutionary steps of the polymer technology. In terms of nanocomposite reinforcement of
thermoplastic starch polymers there has been much exciting new developments. Dufresne and
Cavaille (1998) and Angles and Dufresne (2000) highlight work on the use of microcrystalline
whiskers of starch and cellulose as reinforcement in thermoplastic starch polymer and
synthetic polymer nanocomposites. They find excellent enhancement of properties, probably
due to transcrystallisation processes at the matrix/fibre interface. Almasi et al. (2010) examined
the use of nanoscale montmorillonite into starch/carboxymethyl cellulose blends and finds
excellent improvements in film impermeability and tensile properties.
2.1.1.1.2. Cellulose and its derivatives

At present, cellulose is the most abundant polymer available worldwide with an estimated
annual natural production of 1.5 × 1012 tons and considered as an almost inexhaustible source
of raw materials (Cao et al., 2009). Cellulose is composed of polymer chains consisting of
unbranched β (1→4) linked D- glucopyranosyl units (anhydroglucose unit) (Fig. 4). The length
of these β (1→4) glucan chains depends on the source of cellulose. As the main component of
cell wall, cellulose is predominantly located in the secondary wall. In the primary cell wall,
cellulose consists of roughly 6000 glucose units. Three hydroxyl groups, placed at the positions
C2 and C3 (secondary hydroxyl groups) and C6 (primary hydroxyl groups) can form intra-
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and intermolecular hydrogen bonds (Abdul Khalil et al., 2012). Because of the strong tendency
for intra- or intermolecular hydrogen bonding, bundles of cellulose molecules aggregate to
microfibrils, which form either highly ordered (crystalline) or less ordered (amorphous)
regions (Hamad, 2006). Microfibrils are further aggregated to fibrils and finally to cellulose
fibers.
Cellulose is the main constituent of cell wall in lignocellulosic plant, and its content depends
on the plant species, growing environment, position, growth, and maturity. Generally,
cellulose content in lignocellulosic plant is 23–53% on a dry-weight basis, less than that in
cotton, which is almost made of pure fibrous cellulose. In most straw species, approximately
35–45% of the dry substance is cellulose (Knauf and Moniruzzaman, 2004).
Figure 4. Chemical structure of cellulose
In the lignocellulosic materials, cellulose is embedded in a gel matrix composed of hemicel‐

luloses, lignins, and other carbohydrate polymers. Cellulose was isolated for the first time
some 150 years ago (Smith, 2005). The combination of the chemical and the mechanical
treatments is necessary for the dissolution of lignins, hemicelluloses, and other noncellulosic
substances. A protocol based on acidified sodium chlorite is frequently applied to delignify
woody materials as an initial step in the isolation of cellulose. Alkali extraction to dissolve
hemicelluloses before or after delignification is the common method. The presence of high
amounts of lignin in isolated cellulose fibers after delignification affects the structure and
properties of the cellulose fibers. Fibers with high amounts of lignin are coarse and stiff, and
have a brownish color. Therefore, it is challenging to obtain fibers that are relatively free of
bound lignin. To achieve this aim, chemical bleaching, which is used to obtain fibers with
higher cellulose content from delignified and unbleached fibers, is usually considered as a
continuation of delignification process to isolate cellulose from woody raw materials (Brendel
et al., 2000). Nowadays, there are various procedures for extraction of cellulose microfibrils
(e.g. pulping methods, acid hydrolysis, steam explosion, atc.)(Abdul Khalil et al., 2012).
Many useful properties stem from unique functional characteristics related to the chemical
structure of cellulose. These structural properties include an extended, planar chain confor‐
mation and oriented, parallel-chain packing in the crystalline state. The absence of branches
in this 100% linear polymer contributes to efficient chain packing in the native crystalline state,
resulting in stiff, dimensionally stable fibers (Smith, 2005). Cellulose fibers thus exhibit a high
degree of crystallinity (upwards of 70%) when isolated and purified. However, cellulose fibers
present in native woody biomass exhibit approximately 35% crystallinity, due to the presence
of other lignocellulosic components (Abdul Khalil et al., 2012). The crystal nature (monoclinic
sphenodic) of naturally occurring cellulose is known as cellulose I. Cellulose is resistant to
strong alkali (17.5 wt%) but is easily hydrolyzed by acid to water-soluble sugars. Cellulose is
relatively resistant to oxidizing agents (John and Thomas, 2008). The tight fiber structure
created by hydrogen bonds results in the typical material properties of cellulose, such as high
tensile strength and insolubility in most solvents. There are significant differences between the
properties of straw cellulose, wood cellulose, and cotton cellulose. The cellulose crystallites
are longer in straw pulps than in wood pulps, but they are not as long as in cotton cellulose.
In addition, the degree of crystallinity of straw pulps appears to be less than that of wood
cellulose. Low crystallinity can be useful when a cellulose derivative is to be manufactured
(Sun and Tomkinson, 2000).
Cellulose has received more attention than any other polymer since it is attacked by a wide
variety of microorganisms. The biodegradation of cellulose is complicated, because cellulose
exists together with lignin however, it is fortunate that pure cellulose does decompose readily
(Chandra and Rustgi, 1998). Fermentation of cellulose has been suggested as a source of
chemicals such as ethanol and acetic acid, but this has not achieved any commercial importance
to date.
The most significant cellulosic applications are in the paper, wood product, textile, film, and
fiber industries but recently it has also attracted significant interest as a source of biofuel
production (Mantia and Morreale, 2011). The natural cellulosic carbon skeleton can be utilized
in two major applications on an industrial scale. The first is as regenerated or mercerized
cellulose (cellulose II, Rayon), which is not moldable and is used only for film and fiber
production. The second represents a broader class of applications, which employs chemically
modified celluloses, principally the cellulose esters (Chandra and Rustgi, 1998).
As mentioned before, in all forms, cellulose is a very highly crystalline, high molecular weight
polymer, which is infusible and insoluble in all but the most aggressive, hydrogen bond-
breaking solvents such as N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide. Because of its infusibility and
insolubility, cellulose is usually converted into derivatives to make it more processable. All of
the important derivatives of cellulose are reaction products of one or more of the three hydroxyl
groups, which are present in each glucopyranoside repeating unit, including (Chandra and
Rustgi, 1998):
• ethers, e.g. methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and hydroxylethyl cellulose;
• esters, e.g. cellulose acetate, carboxymethyl cellulose and cellulose xanthate, which is used
as a soluble intermediate for processing cellulose into either fibre or film forms, during
which the cellulose is regenerated by controlled hydrolysis;
• acetals, especially the cyclic acetal formed between the C2 and C3 hydroxyl groups and
butyraldehyde.
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These modified forms of cellulose can be tailored to exhibit particular physical and chemical
properties by varying the pattern and degrees of substitution within the cellulose backbone.
Industrial applications are numerous and widespread for cellulose derivatives owing to
rigidity, moisture vapor permeability, grease resistance, clarity, and appearance (Edgar et al.,
2001). Esterification of the cellulose backbone provides structural changes that allow for a
greatly expanded range of applications, not available to the parent polysaccharide. Commer‐
cially available forms of cellulose acetate have degrees of substitution between 1.7 and 3.0 and
are currently used in high volume applications ranging from fibers, to films, to injection
moulding thermoplastics, to low solids solvent-borne coatings for metal and automobile
industries (Mohanty et al., 2000). Methylcellulose exhibits thermal gelation and has excellent
film-forming properties. It has been widely used to prepare edible films (Debeaufort and
Voilley, 1997; Peressini et al., 2003). Carboxymethyl cellulose is also widely used in the
pharmaceutical and food industries. It has good film forming properties (Ghanbarzadeh et al.,
2011). Carboxymethyl cellulose based film is a very efficient oxygen, carbon dioxide, and lipid
barrier. However, it has poor resistance to water vapor transmission (Ghanbarzadeh and
Almasi, 2011).
The chemically modified celluloses are degradable only under certain circumstances, as more
recalcitrant, hydrophobic ester groups replace the native glucopyranosyl hydroxyls (to
varying degrees) in the esterification procedure. Structurally, the degrees of substitution and
C-2 hydroxyl substitution patterns are important criteria in predicting biodegradation patterns
for these polymers (Amass et al., 1998). Biodegradation rates of cellulose esters generally
increase with decreasing degrees of acetate substitution.
2.1.1.1.3. Fibers (Lignocellolosic complex)
Plant fibers include bast (or stem or soft sclerenchyma) fibers, leaf or hard fibers, seed, fruit,
wood, cereal straw, and other grass fibers. All these plant based natural fibers are lignocellu‐
losic in nature and are composed of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, pectin and waxy sub‐
stances (Kabir et al., 2012). Lignocellulosic biomass comprises approximately 50% of the global
biomass and is by far the most abundant renewable organic resource on earth. This woody
material is comprised of 30-50% cellulose, 20-50% hemicellulose, and 15-35% lignin, dependent
upon the plant species and environmental (growing) conditions (Galbe and Zacchi, 2002). Fig.
5 presents the model of the structural organization of the three major structural constituents
of the fiber cell wall (Madsen, 2004). Hemicellulose molecules are hydrogen bonded with
cellulose fibrils and they form cementing materials for the fiber structure. Lignin and pectin
are coupled with the cellulose–hemicellulose network and provides an adhesive quality to
hold the molecules together. This adhesive quality is the cause for the strength and stiffness
properties of the fiber.
Hemicellulose is not a form of cellulose and the name is a misnomer. They comprise a group
of polysaccharides composed of a combination of 5- and 6-carbon ring sugars (Fig. 6a).
Hemicellulose differs from cellulose in three aspects. Firstly, they contain several different
sugar units whereas cellulose contains only 1,4–β-D-glucopyranose units. Secondly, they
exhibit a considerable degree of chain branching containing pendant side groups giving rise
to its non crystalline nature, whereas cellulose is a linear polymer. Thirdly, the degree of
polymerization of native cellulose is 10–100 times higher than that of hemicelluloses (John and
Thomas, 2008). The degree of polymerization (DP) of hemicellulose is around 50–300. Hemi‐
cellulose is very hydrophilic, soluble in alkali and easily hydrolyzed in acids.
Lignin is a complex hydrocarbon polymer with both aliphatic and aromatic constituents (Fig.
6b). They are totally insoluble in most solvents and cannot be broken down to monomeric
units. Lignin is totally amorphous and hydrophobic in nature. It is the compound that gives
rigidity to the plants. It is thought to be a complex, three-dimensional copolymer of aliphatic
and aromatic constituents with very high molecular weight. Hydroxyl, methoxyl and carbonyl
groups have been identified. Lignin has been found to contain five hydroxyl and five methoxyl
groups per building unit. It is believed that the structural units of lignin molecule are deriva‐
tives of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenylpropane (John and Thomas, 2008). The main difficulty in
lignin chemistry is that no method has been established by which it is possible to isolate lignin
in its native state from the fiber. Lignin is considered to be a thermoplastic polymer exhibiting
a glass transition temperature of around 90 ˚C and melting temperature of around 170 ˚C
(Olesen and Plackett, 1999). It is not hydrolyzed by acids, but soluble in hot alkali, readily
oxidized, and easily condensable with phenol.
Pectins are a collective name for heteropolysaccarides. They give plants flexibility. Pectin, is a
complex anionic polysaccharide composed of β-1,4-linked D-galacturonic acid residues, where
in the uronic acid carboxyls are either fully (HMP, high methoxy pectin) or partially (LMP,
low methoxy pectin) methyl esterified (Tharanathan, 2003) (Fig. 6c).
Figure 5. Structural organization of the three major constituents in the fiber cell wall (Kabir et al., 2012).
It has been proposed various techniques for separation of these components from lignocellu‐
losic complex. The 'Clean Fractionation Process', developed and patented by the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, CO, USA), is one example of an organic solvent-based
system used to separate and purify the three major feedstocks present in lignocellulosic
biomass (Smith, 2005). Lignin and hemicellulose are disrupted and solubilized in the solvent
mixture composed of water, methyl-isobutyl-ketone (MIBK), ethanol, and sulfuric acid
(H2SO4), following a steam explosion treatment catalyzed by the acidic conditions created
within the reactor due to the added sulfuric acid and endogenous acetic acid released during
the hydrolysis. This environmentally benign process selectively separates cellulose, hemicel‐
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lulose, and lignin with a high degree of purity, substantial energy savings, and lessened
production cost (Kulesa, 1999).
Figure 6. Chemical structure of hemicelluloses, lignin and pectins (Kabir et al., 2012; Tharanathan, 2003).
These lignocellulosic materials have the potential to be utilized as a feedstock for the produc‐
tion of a wide variety of industrial and commodity products, ranging from paper, lumber, and
platform chemicals to a variety of fuels and advanced materials, including biodegradable
polymers (Smith, 2005). For example, HMP forms excellent films. Plasticized blends of citrus
pectin and high amylase starch give strong, flexible films, which are thermally stable up to
180˚C. Pectin is also miscible with poly(vinyl alcohol) in all proportions. Potential commercial
uses for such films are water soluble pouches for detergents and insecticides, flushable liners
and bags, and medical delivery systems and devices (Tharanathan, 2003).
Hemicellulose can be utilized in microbial fermentations for the production of a variety of

value-added products. Detoxified hemicellulosic hydrolysates have been used as xylose-rich
feedstocks in a variety of biotechnological applications including the microbial production of
ethanol, xylitol, and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers (Smith, 2005).
Production of PHAs based on renewable, bio-based substrates could make PHA-derived
thermoplastic products more economically competitive with petroleum-based plastics, as the
major costs in PHA production are the carbon source and the separation process. In the next
section of this chapter we will describe the properties of this family of degradable microbial
polyesters.
2.1.1.1.4. Chitin and chitosan
Chitin is a polysaccharide found in the shells of crabs, lobsters, shrimps and insects or can be
generated via fungal fermentation processes. Chitosan is the deacylated derivative of chitin
and forms the exoskeleton of arthropod. Structurally chitosan is a linear polysaccharide
consisting of β (1-4) linked D-glucosamine with randomly located N-acetylglucosamine groups
depending upon the degree of deacetylation of the polymer (Nair and Laurencin, 2007). Fig.
7 shows the structure of chitin and chitosan.
Chitin is insoluble in its native form but chitosan, is water soluble. Chitosan is soluble in weekly
acidic solutions resulting in the formation of a cationic polymer with a high charge density
and can therefore form polyelectrolyte complexes with wide range of anionic polymers
(Pachence et al., 2007). Chitosan has been found to be non-toxic after oral administration in
humans and is an FDA approved food additive (Nair and Laurencin, 2007).
Enzymes, such as chitosanase, lysozyme and papain are known to degrade chitosan in vitro.
The in vivo degradation of chitosan is primarily due to lysozyme and takes place through the
hydrolysis of the acetylated residues. The rate of degradation of chitosan inversely depends
on the degree of acetylation and crystallinity of the polymer (Shi et al., 2006). The highly
deacetylated form exhibits the lowest degradation rates and may last several months in vivo.
Apart from this, chemical modification of chitosan can significantly affect its solubility and
degradation rate. Chemical modification of chitosan produces materials with a variety of
physical and mechanical properties.
Figure 7. Chemical structure of chitin and chitosan (Nair and Laurencin, 2007).
These biopolymers are biocompatible and have antimicrobial activities as well as the ability
to absorb heavy metal ions. They also find applications in the cosmetic industry because of
their water-retaining and moisturizing properties (Chandra and Rustgi, 1998). Chitosan has
been formed into membranes and matrices suitable for several tissue-engineering applications
(Shalaby et al., 2004). Chitin derivatives can also be used as drug carriers. Chitosan was used
to develop injectable thermo-sensitive carrier material for biomedical applications. Due to the
mild gelling conditions, the hydrogel has been found to be a potential delivery vehicle for
growth factors, small molecular weight drugs and cells for localized therapy (Nair et al.,
2006). The high chemical reactivity of chitosan, has also led to several chitosan-drug conjugates
for cancer therapy (Onishi et al., 2001). Chitosan gels, powders, films, and fibers have been
formed and tested for many applications such as encapsulation, membrane barriers, contact
lens materials, cell culture, and inhibitors of blood coagulations (Pachence et al., 2007).
Chitosan has good film forming properties and therefore can be used as a food packaging
material (Ghanbarzadeh et al., 2008; Suyatama et al., 2005).
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2.1.1.1.5. Gums
Gums are a group of polysaccharides that can form gels in solution upon the introduction of
counterions. The degree of cross-linking is dependent on various factors such as pH, type of
counterion, and the functional charge density of these polymers (Chandra and Rustgi, 1998).
The common types of these polysaccharides will be discussed here.
Alginic acid present within the cell walls and intercellular spaces of brown algae and has a
structural role in giving flexibility and strength to marine plants. Alginate is a non-branched,
binary copolymer of (1-4) glycosidically linked β-D-mannuronic acid and α-L-guluronic acid
monomers. The composition of alginate (the ratio of the two uronic acids and their sequential
arrangements) varies with the source (Nair and Laurencin, 2007). Alginates are extracted from
the algae using a base solution and then reacted with acid to form alginic acid. They are high
molecular weight polymers having molecular weights up to 500 kDa (Augst et al., 2006).
Alginic acid forms water-soluble salts with monovalent cations, low molecular weight amines,
and quaternary ammonium compounds. Due to its non-toxicity, alginate has been extensively
used as a food additive and a thickener in salad dressings and ice creams (Nair and Laurencin,
2007). Alginate gels have been used widely in controlled release drug delivery systems.
Alginates have been used to encapsulate various herbicides, microorganisms and cells. Even
though alginates have been extensively investigated as biomaterials, one of the main disad‐
vantages of using alginate-based materials is their inability to undergo enzymatic degradation
by mammals (Bouhadir et al., 2001).
2.1.1.2. Polypeptides (Proteins)
Proteins can be defined as natural polymers able to form amorphous three-dimensional

structures stabilized mainly by noncovalent interactions. The functional properties of these
materials are highly dependent on structural heterogeneity, thermal sensitivity, and hydro‐
philic behavior of proteins. Numerous vegetable and animal proteins are commonly used as
biodegradable polymers.
2.1.1.2.1. Corn zein
Zein comprises a group of alcohol-soluble proteins (prolamins) found in corn endosperm. It

accounts for 50% or more of total endosperm protein, and its only known role is the storage
of nitrogen for the germinating embryo (Gennadios, 2002). It can be extracted with aqueous
alcohol and dried to a granular powder. Based on solubility differences, zein consists of three
protein fractions, i.e., α-zein, β-zein, and γ-zein. α-Zein accounts for 75 to 85% of the total
protein and is dominated by two groups of proteins, Z19 and Z22, according to sodium dodecyl
sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE) (Argos et al., 1982). Z19 and Z22
consist of 210 and 245 amino acids, respectively.
Due to the hydrophobic nature of zein, water sorption is extremely low in the low water activity
(a w) range. Water sorption, though, increased exponentially with a w (Watt, 1983). Zein,
although not soluble in water, is readily plasticized by it. Zein films are brittle at ambient
temperature and need plasticization to become flexible. Plasticization increases polymer
mobility, decreases glass transition temperature (Tg), and markedly changes rheological
properties (Ghanbarzadeh, et al., 2006a; 2006b; 2007a). Common zein plasticizers include
glycerol, glyceryl monoesters, poly ethylene glycol, and fatty acids.
The film-forming properties of zein have been recognized for decades, and they are the basis
for its commercial utilization (Lai et al., 1997). Coating films are formed on hard surfaces by
covering them with zein solutions and allowing the solvent to evaporate off. The dried zein
residue forms hard and glossy, scuff-proof, protective coatings that also are resistant to
microbial attack (Reiners et al., 1973). Zein coatings are used as oxygen, lipid, and moisture
barriers for nuts, candies, confectionery products, and other foods. Rice fortified with vitamins
and minerals has been coated with zein/stearic acid/wood resin mixtures to prevent vitamin
and mineral losses during washing in cold water. Pharmaceutical tablets are zein-coated for
controlled ingredient release and protection (Gennadios, 2002). Use of zein-based coatings has
been suggested for reducing oil uptake by deep-fat fried foods, for protecting active ingredi‐
ents in chewing gum, for achieving controlled release of active ingredients in pharmaceutical
tablets and for masking the taste of orally administered drugs (Gennadios, 2002). Zein, upon
casting from aqueous aliphatic alcoholic solutions forms tough, glossy and grease resistant
films (Ghanbarzadeh et al., 2006c; 2007b). By cross-linking the tensile strength of the films is
further improved. Zein films have water vapor permeability (WVP) values lower than or
similar to those of other protein films, cellulose ethers, and cellophane (Krochta, 1992).
However, their WVP is notably higher than that of LDPE or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer
(EVOH) (Gennadios, 2002).
2.1.1.2.2. Wheat gluten
Whereas dry wheat flour comprises 9–13% protein and 75–80% starch, wheat gluten consists
mainly of wheat storage protein (70–80%, dry matter basis) with traces of starch and non -
starch polysaccharides (10–14%), lipids (6–8%), and minerals (0.8–1.4%). Osborne distinguish‐
ed four wheat protein classes based on their solubility in different solvents, namely, albumins,
globulins, gliadins, and glutenins. The albumins and globulins (15–22% of total protein), which
are, respectively, water- and salt-soluble, are removed with starch granules during gluten
processing. In contrast, the gliadins, which are alcohol-soluble, and the glutenins, which are
soluble (or at least dispersible) in dilute acid or alkali solutions, are being collected into gluten
(Wrigley and Bietz, 1988). Gliadin molecules may interact together or with glutenin molecules
via hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. In the fully hydrated state, gliadin exhibits
viscous flow properties without significant elasticity. For cereal technologists, gliadin accounts
for the extensibility of wheat flour dough and acts as a filler diluting glutenin interactions.
Contrary to gliadin, which is comprised of distinct polypeptide chains, glutenin consists of
polymers made from polypeptide chains (also named subunits) linked end-to-tail by SS bonds
(Kasarda, 1999). Vital wheat gluten is the cohesive and elastic mass that is leftover after starch
is washed away from wheat flour dough. Commercially, it is an industrial by-product of wheat
starch production via wet milling (Gennadios, 2002).
Wheat gluten is suitable for numerous food and nonfood uses. Its main application is in the
bakery industry, where it is used to strengthen weak flours rendering them suitable for bread
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baking (Gennadios, 2002). The other potential applications of gluten are very diverse: windows
in envelopes, surface coatings on paper, biodegradable plastic films for agricultural uses,
water-soluble bags with fertilizers, detergents, cosmetics, cigarette filters and additives and
molded objects (Cuq et al., 1998). Wheat gluten-based materials are homogeneous, transparent,
mechanically strong, and relatively water resistant. They are biodegradable and a priori
biocompatible, apart from some wheat gluten-specific characteristics such as allergenicity
(Guilbert et al., 1996).
The moisture barrier properties of wheat gluten-based films are relatively poor as compared
to synthetic films, such as LDPE. The gas (O2, CO2, and ethylene) barrier properties of wheat
gluten-based films are highly interesting, as they are exceptionally good at low relative
humidity (RH) conditions. Water and other plasticizers can lower the glass transition temper‐
ature (Tg) of the wheat gluten and enable processing at temperatures below those that lead to
protein decomposition, which means that protein-based films can be formed by using
techniques that are conventionally used with synthetic polymers (e.g., extrusion, injection, and
molding) (Gennadios, 2002).
2.1.1.2.3. Soy protein
The major use of soybean in the food industry is as a source of oil, while soy protein concentrate
and isolate are readily available as co-products of the oil processing industry (Pszczola, 1998).
Soy protein is a complex mixture of proteins with widely different molecular properties. The
major soybean proteins have molecular weights ranging from 200 to 600 kDa. Most soy
proteins (~90%) are globulins, which can be fractionated into 2S, 7S, 11S and 15S according to
their sedimentation coefficients. The 7S and11S fractions, the main fractions making up about
37% and 31% of the total extractable protein, have the capability of polymerization (Wolf,
1972). Soy protein used in the food industry is classified as soy flour, concentrate, or isolate
based on the protein content. Soy flour contains 50–59% protein and is obtained by grinding
defatted soy flakes. Soy protein concentrate contains 65–72% protein and is obtained by
aqueous liquid extraction or acid leaching process. Soy protein isolate contains more than 90%
protein and is obtained by aqueous or mild alkali extraction followed by isoelectric precipita‐
tion (Soy Protein Council, 1987).
Soy protein is an abundant and relatively cheap ingredient source for various food applica‐
tions. The functional properties that make soy protein useful in foods include cohesiveness,
adhesiveness, emulsification, dough and fiber formation, whippability, solubility, and
foaming (Gennadios, 2002). Soy protein also is used in infant formulas and in baked, meat,
and dairy products (Witherly, 1990). The use of soy protein as a film-forming agent can add
value to soybeans by creating new channels for marketing soy proteins (Cao et al., 2007). Soy
protein is a viable and renewable resource for producing edible and environmentally friendly
biodegradable films. Soy protein films are flexible, smooth, transparent, and clear compared
to other films from plant proteins (Cho and Rhee, 2004). These films have good mechanical
properties but they are generally slightly water-resistant (Cuq et al., 1998). Soy protein films
are typically prepared by drying thin layers of cast film-forming solutions (Gennadios, 2002).
Biodegradable plastics were also produced from soy isolate and concentrate by a thermo‐
molding process (Jane et al., 1994).
2.1.1.2.4. Collagen and gelatin

Collagen is an abundant protein constituent of connective tissue in vertebrate (about 50% of
total human protein) and invertebrate animals. Similar to cellulose in plants, collagen mole‐
cules support mechanical stresses transferred to them by a low-modulus matrix (Gennadios,
2002). Collagen is a rod-type polymer nearly 300 nm long with a molecular weight of 300,000.
There have been more than twenty two different types of collagen identified so far in the
human body, with the most common being Type I–IV. Type I collagen is the single most
abundant protein present in mammals and is the most thoroughly studied protein. The Type
I collagen is composed of three polypeptide subunits with similar amino acid compositions.
Each polypeptide is composed of about 1050 amino acids, containing approximately 33%
glycine, 25% proline and 25% hydroxyproline with a relative abundance of lysine (Nair and
Laurencin, 2007). Collagen is a hydrophilic protein because of the greater content of acidic,
basic, and hydroxylated amino acid residues than lipophilic residues. Therefore, it swells in
polar liquids with high solubility parameters.
Collagen undergoes enzymatic degradation within the body via enzymes, such as collagenases
and metalloproteinases, to yield the corresponding amino acids. Due to their enzymatic
degradability, unique physico-chemical, mechanical and biological properties collagen has
been extensively investigated for various applications. Collagen is mostly soluble in acidic
aqueous solutions and can be processed into different forms such as sheets, tubes, sponges,
foams, nanofibrous matrices, powders, fleeces, injectable viscous solutions and dispersions.
Studies have also shown that the degradation rate of collagen used for biomedical applications
can be significantly altered by enzymatic pre-treatment or cross-linking using various cross-
linking agents (Nair and Laurencin, 2007).
Type I collagen is found in high concentrations in tendon, skin, bone, and fascia, which are
consequently convenient and abundant sources for isolation of this natural polymer. The major
sources of collagen currently used for industrial applications are bovine or porcine skin or
bovine or equine Achilles tendons (Pachence et al., 2007). Thermal or chemical dissociation of
collagen polypeptide chains forms products known as gelatin. Insoluble collagen is converted
to soluble gelatin by acid or alkaline/lime (mild and slow) processing. Two processes are
mainly used for commercial production of gelatin. In the first process, the collagen in hide or
demineralized bone is partly depolymerized by prolonged liming that breaks down covalent
cross-links. The occurring hydrolysis results in extensive release of collagenous material,
which is solubilized at near neutral pH at temperatures of 60–90 ˚C (Type B gelatin). The acid
process (Type A gelatin) involves soaking skin or bone in a dilute acid followed by extraction
at acid pH (Johnston-Banks, 1990).
The properties of collagen and gelatin are of great interest to various fields, such as surgery
(implantations; wound dressings), leather chemistry (tanning), pharmacy (capsule produc‐
tion; tablet binding), and food science (gels; edible films) (Arvanitoyannis et al., 1998).
Reportedly, about 65% of gelatin manufactured worldwide is used in foods, 20% in photo‐
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graphic applications, 10% in pharmaceutical products, and 5% in other specialized and

industrial applications (Slade and Levine, 1987). Collagen has been extensively investigated
for the localized delivery of low molecular weight drugs including antibiotics (Gruessner et
al., 2001). Collagen films have traditionally been used for preparing edible sausage casing
(Hood, 1987). Gelatin has been successfully used to form films that are transparent, flexible,
water-resistant, and impermeable to oxygen (Hebert and Holloway 1992). These films were
made by cooling and drying an aqueous film-forming solution based on gelatin. Gelatin is also
used as a raw material for photographic films, and to microencapsulate aromas, vitamins, and
sweeteners (Balassa and Fanger 1971).
2.1.1.2.5. Casein and caseinates
Casein is the main protein of milk, representing 80% of the total milk proteins, it is a phos‐
phoprotein that may be separated into various electrophoretic fractions, αs1-casein, αs2-casein,
β-casein and κ-casein which differ in primary, secondary and tertiary structure and molecular
weight. These four different types of casein are found in bovine milk in the approximate ratio
of 4:1:4:1 respectively (Dalgleish, 1997). Casein exists in the form of micelles containing all four
casein species complexed with colloidal calcium phosphate. The casein micelles are stable to
most common milk processes such as heating, compacting, and homogenization. Micellar
integrity is preserved by extensive electrostatic and hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic
interactions (Gennadios, 2002).
Two principal methods have been established for the production of casein on commercial scale,
i.e., isoelectric precipitation (acid casein) and enzymatic coagulation (rennet casein). The
preparation of acid casein from skim milk is quite simple. The essential steps involve acidifi‐
cation to about pH 4.6 (isoelectric point of casein) to induce the coagulation of casein, adjust‐
ment of temperature to between 30 and 40 ˚C for better handling properties of the product,
washing, pressing or centrifuging the curd to remove excessive water, and finally drying and
grinding. Hydrochloric acid is usually used for both laboratory scale and industrial prepara‐
tion of casein. The key difference in producing rennet casein from producing acid casein is the
means of coagulation. A proteolytic enzyme, such as chymosin (rennin), cleaves the -casein
fraction to release a glycomacropeptide, thus destabilizing the casein micelles and promoting
coagulation of casein in the presence of calcium cations (Gennadios, 2002). Though water-
insoluble casein has some applications, most food application would require casein with high
water solubility. This is achieved by dispersing the casein in water and adjusting the pH to
between 6.5 and 7.0 with an alkali. The most commonly used soluble caseinate is sodium
caseinate. It is normally manufactured by dissolving fresh acid casein curd in sodium hydrox‐
ide followed by spray drying. Other soluble caseinates prepared in a similar manner include
potassium, calcium, magnesium, and ammonium caseinates (Fox and McSweeney, 1998).
Its relative simple isolation and the useful properties of casein as an industrial material and
food ingredient have led to commercial production of casein and caseinates since the 19th
century (Muller, 1982). Casein and caseinates are suitable for numerous food and nonfood uses
such as in industrial applications (especially in glues, paper coatings, paints, leather finishing,
textile fibers, and plastics), and in various food products. The end-uses of casein and caseinates
have gradually shifted from industrial to food applications. About 70 to 80% of the casein
produced worldwide is used as a food ingredient (Gennadios, 2002). Film-forming properties
of caseins have been used to improve the appearance of numerous foods, to produce water-
soluble bags, and to produce origin or quality identification labels inserted under precut
cheeses, to ensure the surface retention of additives on intermediate-moisture foods, and to
encapsulate polyunsaturated lipids for animal feeds (Cuq et al., 1998). Casein-based edible
films are attractive for food applications due to their high nutritional quality, excellent sensory
properties and potential to adequately protect food products from their surrounding envi‐
ronment (Fabra et al., 2009). The mechanical properties of casein and caseinate films, being
neither too tough nor too fragile, also make them suitable for edible purposes. Though more
permeable to water vapor than plastic films, they are capable of retarding moisture transfer to
some degree (Buonocore et al., 2003). Casein and caseinate films dissolve nearly instantane‐
ously in water and this is desirable for many food applications.
2.1.1.2.6. Whey proteins
Whey proteins are those proteins that remain in milk serum after pH/rennet coagulation of
casein during cheese or casein manufacture (Gennadios, 2002). Whey protein, which repre‐
sents approximately 20% of total milk proteins is a mixture of proteins with diverse functional
properties. The five main proteins are α-lactalbumins, β-lactoglobulins, bovine serum albu‐
min, immunoglobulins, and proteose peptones. α-lactalbumins, β-lactoglobulins and bovine
serum albumin comprise 57, 19 and 7% of the total whey protein. The immunoglobulins and
proteose-peptone fractions represent the remainder of the whey protein. Whey proteins are
globular and soluble at pH 4.6 (Dybing and Smith, 1991).
The industrial processes used for whey protein recovery are ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis,
gel filtration, electrodialysis, and ion exchange chromatography. Fractionated whey constitu‐
ents of various degrees of concentration can be obtained by combining two or more of the
above recovery processes (Sienkiewicz and Riedel, 1990). Whey protein products can be
classified according to their composition. In particular, they are divided according to their
protein content. Whey protein concentrate (WPC) contains 25–80% protein. Whey protein
isolate (WPI) is nearly all protein (>90%) (Gennadios, 2002).
Whey protein, a byproduct of the cheese industry, has excellent nutritional and functional
properties and the potential to be used for human food and animal feed. The film-forming
properties of whey proteins have been used to produce transparent, flexible, colorless, and
odorless films, such as those produced from caseins (Cuq et al., 1998). The use of whey proteins
to make an edible packaging film material brings several environmental advantages because
of the film’s biodegradability and its capacity to control moisture, carbon dioxide, oxygen,
lipid, flavor and aroma transfer (Ozdemir and Floros, 2008). These properties offer the
potential to extend the shelf-life of many food products, avoiding quality deterioration
(Gounga et al., 2007).
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2.1.1.2.7. Other proteins

Prevalent types of plant and animal proteinous biopolymers have been discussed previously.
Nevertheless, these are not the only available biopolymers from this category. There are other
proteins, which have potential to use as biopolymeric materials for different applications. Most
important of them includes elastin (a major protein component of vascular and lung tissue),
egg albumins, fish myofibrillar protein and wool keratin (Gennadios, 2002).
An interesting property of elastin is its ability to undergo folding when the temperature
is increased above 25 ˚C. This is due to its transition from a disordered form to an or‐
dered form at higher temperature called inverse temperature transition (ITT). Due to the
unique thermal transition properties of elastin, it has been extensively investigated as a
smart, injectable drug delivery system (Mithieux et al., 2004). Use of egg albumins to en‐
capsulate organic hydrophobic compounds in cosmetics and foods has been proposed in
many patents (Gennadios et al., 1999). The potential use of myofibrillar proteins for the
preparation of films and coatings was proposed to identify new practical applications for
fish proteins (Shiku et al., 2004). Yamauchi et al (1996) developed water-insoluble films
based on keratin by casting and drying alkaline dispersions. The large amount of cystine
in keratin favors formation of many disulfide bonds that could stabilize the proteic net‐
work. However, because of their unpleasant mouthfeel, edible coatings based on keratin
have not found many applications (Yamauchi and Khoda, 1997).
Other proteins have been also used for various purposes, including proteins from rye, pea,
barley, sorghum, rice, sunflower, pistachio and peanut (Gennadios, 2002).
2.1.2. Biopolymers produced directly by natural or genetically modified organisms
2.1.2.1. Microbial polyesters

The microbial polyesters are produced by biosynthetic function of a microorganism and
readily biodegraded by microorganisms and within the body of higher animals, including
humans. In the field of medicine, they can be used as implanting material and a drug carriers.
2.1.2.1.1. Polyhydroxyalcanoates (PHAs)

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a family of intracellular biopolymers synthesized by many
bacteria as intracellular carbon and energy storage granules (Fig. 8). Depending on growth
conditions, bacterial strain, and carbon source, the molecular weights of these polyesters can
range from tens into the hundreds of thousands (Pachence et al., 2007). Bacterially synthesized
PHAs have attracted attention because they can be produced from a variety of renewable
resources and are truly biodegradable and highly biocompatible thermoplastic materials.
The plastic-like properties and biodegradability of PHAs offer an attraction as a potential
replacement for non-degradable polyethylene and polypropylene. Many efforts have been
made to produce PHA as environmentally degradable thermoplastics (Chen et al., 2001; Chen
and Page, 1997; Byrom, 1992). PHAs have a promising potential for food packaging applica‐
tions. However, due to exorbitant production costs, few suppliers exist in the market.
Over 90 different types of PHA consisting of various monomers have been reported and the
number is increasing. Some PHAs behave similarly to conventional plastics such as polyethy‐
lene and polypropylene, while others are elastomeric (Yang et al., 2002). The most represen‐
tative member of this family is poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB).
Figure 8. Chemical structure of polyhydroxyalkanoate ( Pachence et al., 2007).
2.1.2.1.2. Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)
Among the PHA family, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is the most common member; it
belongs to the short chain length PHA with its monomers containing 4-5 carbon atoms (Smith,
2005). ICI developed a biosynthetic process for the manufacture of PHB, based on the fermen‐
tation of sugars by the bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus. PHB homopolymer, like all other PHA
homopolymers, is highly crystalline, extremely brittle, and relatively hydrophobic. Conse‐
quently, the PHA homopolymers have degradation times in vivo on the order of years (Holland
et al., 1987; Miller and Williams, 1987).
PHB has the poorest mechanical properties compared with its copolymers. Efforts have been
made to improve the mechanical properties of PHB; Iwata et al. (2003) prepared uniaxially
oriented films of PHB, with sufficient strength and flexibility by cold-drawing from an
amorphous preform at a temperature below, but near to, the glass transition temperature. Melt
crystallized and solvent-cast films of PHB are usually quite brittle, and the orientation is critical
and difficult to reproduce consistently.
Since current production technology is still unable to produce any PHB that is competitive
with conventional plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene which are
manufactured on a large scale, the application of PHB as environmentally friendly packaging
materials is still unrealistic. Therefore, increasing research is focused on the biosynthesis of
PHB with unconventional structures that may bring new properties and new applications for
PHB (Eggink et al., 1995; Lutke-Eversloh, et al., 2001; Kim, et al., 1996).
PHB has been found to have low toxicity, in part due to the fact that it degrades in vivo to d3-
hydroxybutyric acid, a normal constituent of human blood. Applications of these polymers
previously tested or now under development include controlled drug release, artificial skin,
and heart valves as well as such industrial applications as paramedical disposables (Doi et al.,
1990; Sodian et al., 2000).
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2.1.2.1.3. Poly (Hydroxybutyrate-Hydroxyvalerate) (PHB/HV)
Blends of the PHB family are usually compatible and co-crystallization is enhanced. Yosh‐
ie et al., (2004) studied solid-state structures and crystallization kinetics of poly (3-hydrox‐
ybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHB/HV) blends. It was found that PHB and HV can
co-crystallize.
The copolymers of PHB with hydroxyvaleric acid (PHB/HV) (Fig. 9) are less crystalline, more
flexible, and more readily processible, but they suffer from the same disadvantage of being
too hydrolytically stable to be useful in short-term applications when resorption of the
degradable polymer within less than one year is desirable.
PHB and its copolymers with up to 30% of 3-hydroxyvaleric acid are now commercially
available under the trade name Biopol. It was found previously that a PHA copolymer of PHB/
HV with a 3- hydroxyvalerate content of about 11%, may have an optimum balance of strength
and toughness for a wide range of possible applications (Pachence et al., 2007).
Figure 9. Poly(b-hyroxybutyrate) and copolymers with hydroxyvaleric acid. For a homopolymer of HB, Y = 0; common‐
ly used copolymer ratios are 7, 11, or 22 mole percent of hydroxyvaleric acid. (Pachence et al., 2007)
2.1.2.1.4. Poly- ε-Caprolactones (PCL)
Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) (Fig. 10) is aliphatic polyester and is of great interest as it can be
obtained by the ring opening polymerization of a relatively cheap monomeric unit ‘ε-capro‐
lactone’. This polyester is highly processible as it is soluble in a wide range of organic solvents
(Nair and Laurencin, 2007).
PCL exhibits several unusual properties not found among the other aliphatic polyesters. Most
noteworthy are its exceptionally low glass transition temperature of -62°C and its low melting
temperature of 57°C. Another unusual property of PCL is its high thermal stability. Whereas
other tested aliphatic polyesters had decomposition temperatures (T d) between 235 and 255°C,
PCL has a T d of 350°C (Pachence et al., 2007). PCL has low tensile strength (approximately
23MPa) but an extremely high elongation at breakage (4700%) (Gunatillake et al., 2006). In
addition, ε-caprolactone can be copolymerized with numerous other monomers (e.g., ethylene
oxide, chloroprene, THF, δ-valerolactone, 4-vinylanisole, styrene, methyl methacrylate,
vinylacetate). Particularly noteworthy are copolymers of ε-caprolactone and lactic acid that
have been studied extensively (Feng et al., 1983).
PCL undergoes hydrolytic degradation due to the presence of hydrolytically labile aliphatic
ester linkages; however, the rate of degradation is rather slow (2–3 years). PCL is a semicrys‐
talline polymer with a low glass transition temperature of about -60°C. Thus, PCL is always
in a rubbery state at room temperature. Among the more common aliphatic polyesters, this is
an unusual property, which undoubtedly contributes to the very high permeability of PCL for
many therapeutic drugs (Pitt et al., 1987). Due to the slow degradation, high permeability to
many drugs and non-toxicity, PCL was initially investigated as a long-term drug/vaccine
delivery vehicle. Extensive research is ongoing to develop various micro- and nano-sized drug
delivery vehicles based on PCL (Sinha et al., 2004). Due to its excellent biocompatibility, PCL
has also been extensively investigated as scaffolds for tissue engineering.
Figure 10. Chemical structure of polyhydroxyalkanoate (Pachence et al., 2007)
2.1.2.2. Bacterial Cellulose (BC)
Bacterial cellulose (BC) belongs to specific products of primary metabolism and is mainly a
protective coating, whereas plant cellulose (PC) plays a structural role. Cellulose is synthesized
by bacteria belonging to the genera Acetobacter, Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, and Sarcina (Bielecki,
2004). Its most efficient producers are Gram-negative, acetic acid bacteria Acetobacter xylinum
(reclassified as Gluconacetobacter xylinus), which have been applied as model microorganisms
for basic and applied studies on cellulose (Pamela et al., 1992).
Extensive research on BC revealed that it is chemically identical to PC, but its macromolecular
structure and properties differ from the latter (Fig. 11). Nascent chains of BC aggregate to form
subfibrils, which have a width of approximately 1.5 nm and belong to the thinnest naturally
occurring fibers, comparable only to subelemental fibers of cellulose detected in the cambium
of some plants and in quinee mucous. BC subfibrils are crystallized into microfibrils, these into
bundles, and the latter into ribbons (Bielecki, 2004). Dimensions of the ribbons are 3-4 (thick‐
ness) × 70-80 nm (width), whereas the width of cellulose fibers produced by pulping of birch
or pine wood is two orders of magnitude larger (1.4-4.0 × 10-2 and 3.0-7.5 × 10-2 mm, respec‐
tively) (Iguchi et al., 2000).
BC is also distinguished from its plant counterpart by a high crystallinity index (above 60%)
and different degree of polymerization (DP), usually between 2000 and 6000, but in some cases
reaching even 16,000 or 20,000, whereas the average DP of plant polymer varies from 13,000
to 14,000 (Iguchi et al., 2000).
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One of the most important features of BC is its chemical purity, which distinguishes this
cellulose from that from plants, usually associated with hemicelluloses and lignin, removal of
which is inherently difficult (Bielecki, 2004). Because of the unique properties, resulting from
the ultrafine reticulated structure, BC has found a multitude of applications in paper, textile,
and food industries, and as a biomaterial in cosmetics and medicine (Hu et al., 2011). Wider
application of this polysaccharide is obviously dependent on the scale of production and its
cost. Therefore, basic studies run together with intensive research on strain improvement and
production process development.
Figure 11. Schematic model of BC microfibrils (Right) drawn in comparison with the `fringed micelles'; of PC fibrils
(Left)(Iguchi et al.,2000)
2.1.2.3. Biopolymers (Polyesters) synthesized from bio-derived monomers
This category of biopolymers belongs to biodegradable polyesters and produced by polycon‐

densation or ring-opening polymerization of biologically derived monomers.
2.1.2.3.1. Polylactic Acid or polylactide (PLA)
Among the family of biodegradable polyesters, polylactides (i.e. PLA) have been the focus of
much attention because they are produced from renewable resources such as starch, they are
biodegradable and compostable, and they have very low or no toxicity and high mechanical
performance, comparable to those of commercial polymers (Yu et al., 2006).
PLA or poly-lactide was discovered in 1932 by Carothers. He was only able to produce a low
molecular weight PLA by heating lactic acid under vacuum while removing the condensed
water. The problem at that time was to increase the molecular weight of the products; and,
finally, by ring-opening polymerization of the lactide, high-molecular weight PLA was
synthesized (Jamshidian et al., 2010). PLA was 1st used in combination with polyglycolic acid
(PGA) as suture material and sold under the name Vicryl in the U.S.A. in 1974 (Mehta et al.,
2005).
Lactic acid (2-hydroxy propionic acid), the single monomer of PLA (Fig. 12), is produced via
fermentation or chemical synthesis. Its 2 optically active configurations, the L(+) and D(−)
stereoisomers are produced by bacterial (homofermentative and heterofermentative) fermen‐
tation of carbohydrates. The homofermentative method is preferably used for industrial
production because its pathways lead to greater yields of lactic acid and to lower levels of by-
products. The general process consists of using species of the Lactobacillus genus such as
Lactobacillus delbrueckii, L. amylophilus, L. bulgaricus, and L. leichmanii, a pH range of 5.4 to 6.4,
a temperature range of 38 to 42 ◦C, and a low oxygen concentration. Generally, pure L-lactic
acid is used for PLA production (Mehta et al., 2005).
The polymerization of racemic (D,L)-lactide and mesolactide, results in the formation of

amorphous polymers. Among these monomers, L-lactide is the naturally occurring isomer.
Similar to polyglycolide, poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is also a crystalline polymer (~37% crystal‐
linity) and the degree of crystallinity depends on the molecular weight and polymer processing
parameters. It has a glass transition temperature of 60–65 ºC and a melting temperature of
approximately 175 ºC (Nair et al., 2007).
Poly (L-lactide) is a slow-degrading polymer compared to polyglycolide, has good tensile

strength, low extension and a high modulus (approximately 4.8 GPa) and hence, has been
considered an ideal biomaterial for load bearing applications, such as orthopaedic fixation
devices. It is classified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the United State Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) and is safe for all food packaging applications (Madhavan
Nampoothiri et al., 2010; FDA 2002).
Polylactides undergo hydrolytic degradation via the bulk erosion mechanism by the random
scission of the ester backbone. It degrades into lactic acid a normal human metabolic by-
product, which is broken down into water and carbon dioxide via the citric acid cycle (Maurus
and Kaeding, 2004).
Figure 12. Chemical structure of polylactic acid (Jamshidian et al., 2010)
2.1.2.3.2. Polyglycolic Acid (PGA)
Polyglycolide or Polyglycolic acid (PGA) is a biodegradable, thermoplastic polymer and the

simplest linear, aliphatic polyester (Fig. 13).
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PGA has been known since 1954 as a tough fiber-forming polymer (Pachence et al., 2007).
Polyglycolide has a glass transition temperature between 35-40 °C and its melting point is
reported to be in the range of 225-230 °C. PGA also exhibits an elevated degree of crystallinity,
around 45-55%, thus resulting in insolubility in water. The solubility of this polyester is
somewhat unique, in that its high molecular weight form is insoluble in almost all common
organic solvents (acetone, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran), while
low molecular weight oligomers sufficiently differ in their physical properties to be more
soluble. However, polyglycolide is soluble in highly fluorinated solvents like hexafluoroiso‐
propanol (HFIP) and hexafluoroacetone sesquihydrate, that can be used to prepare solutions
of the high molecular weight polymer for melt spinning and film preparation. Fibers of PGA
exhibit high strength and modulus (7 GPa) and are particularly stiff (Nair et al., 2007).
Polyglycolide is characterized by hydrolytic instability owing to the presence of the ester

linkage in its backbone. The degradation process is erosive and appears to take place in two
steps during which the polymer is converted back to its monomer glycolic acid: first water
diffuses into the amorphous (non-crystalline) regions of the polymer matrix, cleaving the ester
bonds; the second step starts after the amorphous regions have been eroded, leaving the
crystalline portion of the polymer susceptible to hydrolytic attack. Upon collapse of the
crystalline regions the polymer chain dissolves (Tian et al., 2012).
The traditional role of PGA as a biodegradable suture material has led to its evaluation in other
biomedical fields. Implantable medical devices have been produced with PGA, including
anastomosis rings, pins, rods, plates and screws. It has also been explored for tissue engineer‐
ing or controlled drug delivery. Tissue engineering scaffolds made with polyglycolide have
been produced following different approaches, but generally most of these are obtained
through textile technologies in the form of non-woven meshes. The Kureha Corporation has
announced its commercialization of high molecular weight polyglycolide for food packaging
applications under the trade name of Kuredux®. Production is at Belle, West Virginia, with
an intended capacity of 4000 annual metric tons, according to a Chemicals Technology report.
Its attributes as a barrier material result from its high degree of crystallization. A low molecular
weight version (approximately 600 amu) is available from the DuPont Co. and is purported to
be useful in oil and gas applications (Chandra and Rustgi, 1998).
Owing to its hydrolytic instability, however, its use has initially been limited. Currently
polyglycolide and its copolymers (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) with lactic acid, poly(glycolide-
co-caprolactone) with ε-caprolactone, and poly (glycolide-co-trimethylene carbonate) with
trimethylene carbonate) are widely used as a material for the synthesis of absorbable sutures
and are being evaluated in the biomedical field.
2.2. Synthetic biodegradable polymers
2.2.1. Aliphatic polyesters
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main
chain. Aliphatic polyesters are biodegradable but often lack in good thermal and mechanical
Figure 13. Chemical structure of polyglycolic acid (Pachence et al., 2007)
properties. Vice versa, aromatic polyesters, like Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), have
excellent material properties, but are resistant to microbial attack. Among biodegradable
polymers, aliphatic polyester-based polymeric structures are receiving special attention
because they are all more or less sensitive to hydrolytic degradation, a feature of interest when
compared with the fact that living systems function in aqueous media. Only some of these
aliphatic polyesters are enzymatically degradable. A smaller number is biodegradable, and an
even more limited number is biorecyclable.
2.2.1.1. Polyglycolic Acid (PGA), Polylactic Acids (PLA) and their copolymers
Poly (glycolic acid) (PGA), poly (lactic acid) (PLA), and their copolymers are the most widely
used synthetic degradable polymers in medicine. In section 2.1.2.3., structure and properties
of these polymers has been explained and in this section synthetic production of them are
presented. PGA can be obtained through several different processes starting with different
materials (Nair et al., 2007):
1. polycondensation of glycolic acid;
2. ring-opening polymerization of glycolide;
3. solid-state polycondensation of halogenoacetates

Polycondensation of glycolic acid is the simplest process available to prepare PGA, but it is
not the most efficient because it yields a low molecular weight product. The most common
synthesis used to produce a high molecular weight form of the polymer is ring-opening
polymerization of "glycolide", the cyclic diester of glycolic acid.
In spite of its low solubility, this polymer has been fabricated into a variety of forms and
structures. Extrusion, injection and compression molding as well as particulate leaching and
solvent casting, are some of the techniques used to develop polyglycolide-based structures for
biomedical applications (Gunatillake et al., 2006).
The high rate of degradation, acidic degradation products and low solubility however, limit
the biomedical applications for PGA. Therefore, several copolymers containing glycolide units
are being developed to overcome the inherent disadvantages of PGA.
Due to its hydrophilic nature, surgical sutures made of PGA tend to lose their mechanical
strength rapidly, typically over a period of two to four weeks post-implantation. In order to
adapt the materials properties of PGA to a wider range of possible applications, researchers
undertook an intensive investigation of copolymers of PGA with the more hydrophobic PLA.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/56230
Alternative sutures composed of copolymers of glycolic acid and lactic acid is currently
marketed under the trade names Vicryl and Polyglactin 910 (Pachence et al., 2007).
Due to the presence of an extra methyl group in lactic acid, PLA is more hydrophobic than
PGA. The hydrophobicity of high-molecular-weight PLA limits the water uptake of thin films
to about 2% and results in a rate of backbone hydrolysis lower than that of PGA (Reed and
Gilding, 1981). In addition, PLA is more soluble in organic solvents than is PGA.
Industrial lactic acid production utilizes the lactic fermentation process rather than synthesis
because the synthetic routes have many major limitations, including limited capacity due to
the dependency on a by-product of another process, inability to only make the desirable L-
lactic acid stereoisomer, and high manufacturing costs (Datta and Henry 2006). Three ways
are possible for the polymerization of lactic acid (Jamshidian et al., 2010):
1. Direct condensation polymerization;
2. Direct poly-condensation in an azeotropic solution (an azeotrope is a mixture of 2 or more

chemical liquids in such a ratio that its composition cannot be changed by simple
distillation. This occurs because, when an azeotrope is boiled, the resulting vapor has the
same ratio of constituents as the original mixture);
3. Polymerization through lactide formation.

Polymerization through lactide formation is being industrially accomplished for high molec‐
ular weight PLA production.
Recently, PLA, PGA, and their copolymers have been combined with bioactive ceramics such
as Bioglass particles and hydroxyapatite that stimulate bone regeneration while greatly
improving the mechanical strength of the composite material (Rezwan et al., 2006). Bioglass
particles combined with D,L-PLA-co-PGA have also been shown to be angiogenic, suggesting
a novel approach for providing a vascular supply to implanted devices. PLA, PGA, and their
copolymers are also being intensively investigated for a large number of drug delivery
applications.
2.2.1.1.1. Polybutylene Succinate (PBS)
Polybutylene succinate (PBS), chemically synthesized by polycondensation of 1,4-butanedial

with succinic acid (Fig. 14), is a chemosynthetic polyester with a relatively high melting
temperature (Tm ~ 113°C) and favorable mechanical properties, which are comparable with
those of such widely used polymers as polyethylene and polypropylene (Chen et al., 2011).
PBS is thermoplastic, aliphatic polyester with many interesting properties including biode‐
gradability, melt processability, and thermal and chemical resistance. In addition, its excellent
processability in the field of both textiles into melt blown, multifilament, monofilament,
nonwoven, flat, and split yarn fabrics and plastics into injection-molded products, makes it a
promising polymer for various potential engineering applications (Lim et al., 2011). However,
other properties of the PBS, such as its melt viscosity, melt strength, softness, and gas barrier
characteristics are still regarded to be insufficient for various end-use applications.
PBS has a relatively low biodegradation rate because of its high crystallization rate and high
crystallinity. To promote the physical properties, extend the application field, and increase the
biodegradability of PBS, numerous approaches have been used, such as physical blending,
copolymerization, or formation of composites (Okamoto et al., 2003).
Owing to the excellent processability of PBS, it can be processed using conventional polyolefin
equipment in the range 160-200 ºC. Injection, extrusion or blow moulding is suitable for
processing PBS. Its applications include mulch film, cutlery, containers, packaging film, bags
and flushable hygiene products.
Figure 14. Chemical structure of polybutylene succinate (Okamoto et al., 2003)
2.2.1.1.2. Polybutylene Succinate Adipate (PBSA)
Because of the relatively low degradation rates, PBS can be copolymerized by adipate in order
to increase the biodegradability. Poly (butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) is synthesized
by the reaction of glycols with aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (Fig. 15) and is available for use in
a variety of applications including films, laminations, sheet extrusion, monofilaments,
multifilaments, blow-molded containers, injection molded cutlery, and foam cushions (Steeves
et al., 2007). The succinic acid which is used to prepare this polymer is created by fermentation
of sugar extracted from sugarcane or corn, therefore classifying it as a biobased material.
PBSA film has properties very similar to linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and
relatively high biodegradability, and is therefore suitable for a composting bag of kitchen waste
(Ren et al., 2005).
Figure 15. Chemical structure of polybutylene succinate adipate, where x = 4, y = 2, 4 (Steeves et al., 2007)
2.2.2. Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) (PVOH) and Poly (Vinyl Acetate) (PVA)
Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) is the most readily biodegradable of vinyl polymers. It is readily
degraded in waste-water-activated sludges. Unlike many vinyl polymers, PVOH is not
prepared by polymerization of the corresponding monomer. The monomer, vinyl alcohol,
almost exclusively exists as the tautomeric form, acetaldehyde. PVOH instead is prepared by
partial or complete hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate to remove acetate groups (Fig. 16). PVOH
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/56230
has a melting point of 180 to 190°C. It has a molecular weight of between 26,300 and 30,000,
and a degree of hydrolysis of 86.5 to 89% (Ramaraj, 2007).
PVOH is an odorless and tasteless, translucent, white or cream colored granular powder. It is
used as a moisture barrier film for food supplement tablets and for foods that contain inclusions
or dry food with inclusions that need to be protected from moisture uptake. PVOH belongs to
the water soluble polymers. In the context of the application, solubility and speed of solution
are important characteristics.
PVOH has excellent film forming, emulsifying and adhesive properties. It is also resistant to
oil, grease and solvents. It has high tensile strength and flexibility, as well as high oxygen and
aroma barrier properties. However these properties are dependent on humidity, in other
words, with higher humidity more water is absorbed. The water, which acts as a plasticizer,
will then reduce its tensile strength, but increase its elongation and tear strength. PVOH is
fully degradable and dissolves quickly (Vercauteren and Donners, 1986).
PVOH is the largest synthetic water-soluble polymer produced in the world. The prominent
properties of PVOH may include its biodegradability in the environment. The generally
accepted biodegradation mechanism occurs via a two-step reaction by oxidation of hydroxyl
group followed by hydrolysis. The biodegradation of PVOH is influenced by the stereo-
chemical configuration of the hydroxyl groups of PVOH. The isotactic material of PVOH
preferentially degraded. The microbial degradation of PVOH has been studied, as well as its
enzymatic degradation by secondary alcohol peroxidases isolated from soil bacteria of the
Pseudomonas strain (Jansson et al., 2006).
PVOH has been studied extensively because of its good biodegradability and mechanical
properties. These properties have made PVOH as attractive material for disposable and
biodegradable plastic substitutes. Its water solubility, reactivity, and biodegradability make it
a potentially useful material in biomedical, agricultural, and water treatment areas, e.g. as a
flocculant, metal-ion remover, and excipient for controlled release systems.
Figure 16. Chemical structure of poly (vinyl alcohol), Where R= H or COCH3 (Ramaraj, 2007)
Polyvinyl acetate, (PVA), is a rubbery synthetic polymer. It is a type of thermoplastic and

belongs to the polyvinyl esters family. Polyvinyl acetate is prepared by polymerization of vinyl
acetate monomer (free radical vinyl polymerization of the monomer vinyl acetate) (Fig. 17).
The degree of polymerization of polyvinyl acetate typically is 100 to 5000. The ester groups of
the polyvinyl acetate are sensitive to base hydrolysis and will slowly convert PVA into
polyvinyl alcohol and acetic acid. Under alkaline conditions, boron compounds such as boric
acid or borax cause the polymer to cross-link, forming tackifying precipitates or slime (Dionisio
et al., 1993).
PVA reportedly undergoes biodegradation more slowly. Copolymers of ethylene and vinyl
acetate were susceptible to slow degradation in soil-burial tests. The weight loss in a 120-day
period increased with increasing acetate content. Because PVOH is obtained from the hydrol‐
ysis of PVA, which can be controlled easily in terms of the extent of hydrolysis and the sequence
of PVA and PVOH, a controlled hydrolysis of PVA followed by controlled oxidation should
provide degradation materials having a wide range of properties and degradability.
Polyvinyl acetate is a component of a widely used glue type, commonly referred to as wood
glue, white glue, carpenter's glue, or PVA glue. The stiff homopolymer PVA, mostly the more
soft copolymer a combination of vinyl acetate and ethylene, vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE), is
used also in paper coatings, paint and other industrial coatings, as binder in nonwovens in
glass fibers, sanitary napkins, filter paper and in textile finishing (Chandra and Rustgi, 1998).
Figure 17. Chemical structure of poly (vinyl acetate) (Chandra and Rustgi, 1998)
3. Factors affecting biodegradation
Several factors affect extent of polymer biodegradation that most impotents of them are
polymer structure, polymer morphology, molecular weight, Radiation and chemical treat‐
ments.
3.1. Polymer structure

Natural macromolecules, e.g. protein, cellulose, and starch are generally degraded in biolog‐
ical systems by hydrolysis followed by oxidation. It is not surprising, then, that most of the
reported synthetic biodegradable polymers contain hydrolyzable linkages along the polymer
chain; for example, amide enamine, ester, urea, and urethane linkages are susceptible to
biodegradation by microorganisms and hydrolytic enzymes. Since many proteolytic enzymes
specifically catalyze the hydrolysis of peptide linkages adjacent to substituents in proteins,
substituted polymers containing substituents such as benzyl, hydroxy, carboxy, methyl, and
phenyl groups have been prepared in the hope that an introduction of these substituents might
increase biodegradability (Savenkova et al., 2000).
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/56230
Since most enzyme-catalyzed reactions occur in aqueous media, the hydrophilic–hydrophobic

character of synthetic polymers greatly affects their biodegradabilities. A polymer containing
both hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments seems to have a higher biodegradability than
those polymers containing either hydrophobic or hydrophilic structures only. A series of
poly(alkylene tartrate)s was found to be readily assimilated by Aspergillus niger.
However, the polymers derived from C6 and C8 alkane diols were more degradable than the
more hydrophilic polymers derived from C2 and C4 alkane diols or the more hydrophobic
polymers derived from the C10 and C12 alkane diols.
In order for a synthetic polymer to be degradable by enzyme catalysis, the polymer chain must
be flexible enough to fit into the active site of the enzyme. This most likely accounts for the
fact that, whereas the flexible aliphatic polyesters are readily degraded by biological systems,
the more rigid aromatic poly (ethylene terephthalate) is generally considered to be bioinert
(Chandra and Rustgi, 1998).
3.2. Polymer morphology
One of the principal differences between proteins and synthetic polymers is that proteins do
not have equivalent repeating units along the polypeptide chains. This irregularity results in
protein chains being less likely to crystallize. It is quite probable that this property contributes
to the ready biodegradability of proteins. Synthetic polymers, on the other hand, generally
have short repeating units, and this regularity enhances crystallization, making the hydrolyz‐
able groups inaccessible to enzymes. It was reasoned that synthetic polymers with long
repeating units would be less likely to crystallize and thus might be biodegradable; indeed, a
series of poly (amide-urethane)s were found to be readily degraded by subtilisin (Zilberman
et al., 2005).
Selective chemical degradation of semicrystalline polymer samples shows certain character‐

istic changes. During degradation, the crystallinity of the sample increases rapidly at first, then
levels off to a much slower rate as the crystallinity approaches 100%. This is attributed to the
eventual disappearance of the amorphous portions of the sample. The effect of morphology
on the microbial and enzymatic degradation of PCL, a known biodegradable polymer with a
number of potential applications, has been studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has
shown that the degradation of a partially crystalline PCL film by filamentous fungi proceeds
in a selective manner, with the amorphous regions being degraded prior to the degradation
of the crystalline region. The microorganisms produce extracellular enzymes responsible for
the selective degradation. This selectivity can be attributed to the less-ordered packing of
amorphous regions, which permits easier access for the enzyme to the polymer chains. The
size, shape and number of the crystallites all have a pronounced effect on the chain mobility
of the amorphous regions and thus affect the rate of the degradation. This has been demon‐
strated by studying the effects of changing orientation via stretching on the degradation
(Chandra and Rustgi, 1998).
Biodegradation proceeds differently from chemical degradation. Studies on the degradation

by solutions of 40% aqueous methylamine have shown a difference in morphology and
molecular weight changes and in the ability of the degrading agents to diffuse into the
substrate. Also, it was found that the differences in degradation rates between amorphous and
crystalline regions are not same. The enzyme is able to degrade the crystalline regions faster
than can methylamine. Quantitative GPC (gel permeation chromatography) analysis shows
that methylamines degrade the crystalline regions, forming single and double transverse
length products. The enzyme system, on other hand, shows no intermediate molecular weight
material and much smaller weight shift with degradation. This indicates that although
degradation is selective, the crystalline portions are degraded shortly after the chain ends are
made available to the exoenzyme. The lateral size of the crystallites has a strong effect on the
rate of degradation because the edge of the crystal is where degradation of the crystalline
material takes place, due to the crystal packing. A smaller lateral crystallite size yields a higher
crystallite edge surface in the bulk polymer. Prior to the saturation of the enzyme active sites,
the rate is dependent on available substrate; therefore, a smaller lateral crystallite size results
in a higher rate of degradation. The degradation rate of a PCL film is zero order with respect
to the total polymer, but is not zero order with respect to the concentrations of the crystallite
edge material. The drawing of PCL films causes an increase in the rate of degradation, whereas
annealing of the PCL causes a decrease in the rate of degradation. This is probably due to
opposite changes in lateral crystallite sizes.
In vitro chemical and enzymatic degradations of polymers, especially polyesters, were
analyzed with respect to chemical composition and physical properties. It was found quite
often that the composition of a copolymer giving the lowest melting point is most susceptible
to degradation (Vert, 2005). The lowest packing order, as expected, corresponds with the fastest
degradation rate.
3.3. Radiation and chemical treatments

Photolysis with UV light and the γ-ray irradiation of polymers generate radicals and/or ions
that often lead to cleavage and crosslinking. Oxidation also occurs, complicating the situation,
since exposure to light is seldom in the absence of oxygen. Generally this changes the material’s
susceptibility to biodegradation. Initially, one expects the observed rate of degradation to
increase until most of the fragmented polymer is consumed and a slower rate of degradation
should follow for the crosslinked portion of the polymer. A study of the effects of UV irradi‐
ation on hydrolyzable polymers confirmed this. Similarly, photooxidation of polyalkenes
promotes (slightly in most cases) the biodegradation. The formation of carbonyl and ester
groups is responsible for this change (Miller and Williams, 1987).
Processes have been developed to prepare copolymers of alkenes containing carbonyl groups
so they will be more susceptible to photolytic cleavage prior to degradation. The problem with
this approach is that negligible degradation was observed over a two year period for the buried
specimens. Unless a prephotolysis arrangement can be made, the problem of plastic waste
disposal remains serious, as it is undesirable to have open disposal, even with constant sunlight
exposure.
As expected, γ-ray irradiation greatly affects the rate of in vitro degradation of polyesters.
For polyglycolide and poly(glycolide-co-lactide), the pH of the degradation solution de‐
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/56230
creased as the process proceeded. The change-time curves exhibit sigmoidal shapes and con‐
sist of three stages: early, accelerated, and later; the lengths of these three regions were a
function of γ-ray irradiation. Increasing radiation dosage shortens the time of the early
stage. The appearance of the drastic pH changes coincides with loss of tensile breaking
strength. Similar effects via enzymatic and microbial degradation remain to be demonstrat‐
ed (Chandra and Rustgi, 1998).
3.4. Molecular weight

There have been many studies on the effects of molecular weight on biodegradation proc‐
esses. Most of the observed differences can be attributed to the limit of detecting the changes
during degradation, or, even more often, the differences in morphology and hydrophilicity–
hydrophobicity of polymer samples of varying molecular weight. Microorganisms produce
both exoenzymes [degrading polymers from terminal groups (inwards)] and endoenzymes
(degrading polymers randomly along the chain). One might expect a large molecular effect
on the rate of degradation in the ease of exoenzymes and a relatively small molecular
weight effect in the case of endoenzymes. Plastics remain relatively immune to microbial at‐
tack as long as their molecular weight remains high. Many plastics, such as poly ethylene,
poly propylene and poly styrene do not support microbial growth. Low molecular weight
hydrocarbons, however, can be degraded by microbes. They are taken in by microbial cells,
‘activated’ by attachment to coenzyme-A, and converted to cellular metabolites within the
microbial cell. However, these processes do not function well (if at all) in an extracellular
environment, and the plastic molecules are too large to enter the cell. This problem does not
arise with natural molecules, such as starch and cellulose, because conversions to low mo‐
lecular weight components by enzyme reactions occur outside the microbial cell. Photode‐
gradation or chemical degradation may decrease molecular weight to the point that
microbial attack can proceed, however (Chandra and Rustgi, 1998).
The upper limits of molecular weight, beyond which uptake and intracellular degradation
do not occur, have not been established for all alkane-derived materials. Very slow degrada‐
tion of paraffins, PE glycols, and linear alkyl benzene sulphonates occurs when the length of
the polymer chain exceeds 24–30 carbon atoms. It could be concluded from these amply
documented results that alkane-based plastics with molecular weights exceeding 400–500
daltons (i.e. greater than 30 carbon atoms) must be degraded into smaller molecules by pho‐
todegradation, chemical or other biological means before biodegradation. LDPE with a mo‐
lecular weight average of Mw = 150 000 contains about 11 000 carbon atoms. Decreasing
molecules of this size to biologically acceptable dimensions requires extensive destruction of
the PE matrix. This destruction can be partly accomplished in blends of PE and biodegrada‐
ble natural polymers by the action of organisms, such as arthropods, millipedes, crickets,
and snails (Santerre et al., 2005).
4. Future strategy
Synthetic polymers are gradually being replaced by biodegradable materials especially those
derived from replenishable, natural resources. Bioplastics development is just beginning; until
now it covers approximately 5-10% of the current plastic market, about 50,000 t in Europe.
More than the origin, the chemical structure of the biopolymer that determines its biodegrad‐
ability. Use of such biopackagings will open up potential economic benefits to farmers and
agricultural processors. The principal field regards the use of packaging films for food
products, loose films used for transport packaging, service packaging like carry bags, cups,
plates and cutlery, biowaste bags, in agricultural and horticultural fields like bags and
compostable articles. Bilayer and multicomponent films resembling synthetic packaging
materials with excellent barrier and mechanical properties need to be developed. Cross-
linking, either chemically or enzymatically, of the various biomolecules is yet another ap‐
proach of value in composite biodegradable films. Sustained multidisciplinary research efforts
by chemists, polymer technologists, microbiologists, chemical engineers, environmental
scientists and bureaucrats are needed for a successful implementation and commercialization
of biopolymer-based eco-friendly packaging materials. Undoubtedly, biodegradation offers
an attractive route to environmental waste management. Their development costs are high
and yet they do not have the benefit of economic scale. It was shown that polyoleﬁns present
the same oxo-biodegradability of biopolymers, but they are more economical and effecting
during use. Bio-based polymers have already found important applications in medicine field,
where cost is much less important than function. It seems very unlikely that biodegradable oil
based polymers will be displaced from their current role in packaging application, where cost
is more important for the consumer market than environmental acceptability. Biopolymers
fulfill the environmental concerns but they show some limitations in terms of performance like
thermal resistance, barrier and mechanical properties, associated with the costs. Then, this kind
of packaging materials needs more research, more added value like the introduction of smart
and intelligent molecules (which is the nanotechnology field) able to give information about
the properties of the material inside the package (quality, shelf-life, safety) and nutritional
values. It is necessary to make researches on this kind of material to enhance barrier properties,
to incorporate intelligent labelling, to give to the consumer the possibility to have more detailed
product information than the current system.
Author details
Babak Ghanbarzadeh and Hadi Almasi
University of Tabriz, Iran
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Chapter 6

Babak Ghanbarzadeh and Hadi Almasi

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

In developing countries, environmental pollution by synthetic polymers has assumed

The objective of this chapter is to classification of biodegradable polymers. The chemical

2. Classification and properties of biodegradable polymers

2.1. Natural biodegradable polymers

2.1.1. Biopolymers directly extracted from biomass

2.1.1.1.1. Thermoplastic starch

Starch granules contain alternating 120-400 nm amorphous and semi-crystalline layers or

Figure 2. Chemical structure of amylose and amylopectin (Buleon et al., 1998)

Figure 3. Starch gelatinization process (Lai and Kokini, 1991)

• compostable in accordance with DIN 54900

2.1.1.1.2. Cellulose and its derivatives

Figure 4. Chemical structure of cellulose

In the lignocellulosic materials, cellulose is embedded in a gel matrix composed of hemicel‐

• ethers, e.g. methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and hydroxylethyl cellulose;

2.1.1.1.3. Fibers (Lignocellolosic complex)

Hemicellulose can be utilized in microbial fermentations for the production of a variety of

2.1.1.1.4. Chitin and chitosan

2.1.1.2. Polypeptides (Proteins)

Proteins can be defined as natural polymers able to form amorphous three-dimensional

2.1.1.2.1. Corn zein

Zein comprises a group of alcohol-soluble proteins (prolamins) found in corn endosperm. It

2.1.1.2.2. Wheat gluten

2.1.1.2.3. Soy protein

2.1.1.2.4. Collagen and gelatin

graphic applications, 10% in pharmaceutical products, and 5% in other specialized and

2.1.1.2.5. Casein and caseinates

2.1.1.2.6. Whey proteins

2.1.1.2.7. Other proteins

2.1.2. Biopolymers produced directly by natural or genetically modified organisms

2.1.2.1. Microbial polyesters

2.1.2.1.1. Polyhydroxyalcanoates (PHAs)

Figure 8. Chemical structure of polyhydroxyalkanoate ( Pachence et al., 2007).

2.1.2.1.2. Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)

2.1.2.1.3. Poly (Hydroxybutyrate-Hydroxyvalerate) (PHB/HV)

2.1.2.1.4. Poly- ε-Caprolactones (PCL)

Figure 10. Chemical structure of polyhydroxyalkanoate (Pachence et al., 2007)

2.1.2.2. Bacterial Cellulose (BC)

2.1.2.3. Biopolymers (Polyesters) synthesized from bio-derived monomers

This category of biopolymers belongs to biodegradable polyesters and produced by polycon‐

2.1.2.3.1. Polylactic Acid or polylactide (PLA)

The polymerization of racemic (D,L)-lactide and mesolactide, results in the formation of

Poly (L-lactide) is a slow-degrading polymer compared to polyglycolide, has good tensile

Figure 12. Chemical structure of polylactic acid (Jamshidian et al., 2010)

2.1.2.3.2. Polyglycolic Acid (PGA)

Polyglycolide or Polyglycolic acid (PGA) is a biodegradable, thermoplastic polymer and the

Polyglycolide is characterized by hydrolytic instability owing to the presence of the ester

2.2. Synthetic biodegradable polymers

2.2.1. Aliphatic polyesters

Figure 13. Chemical structure of polyglycolic acid (Pachence et al., 2007)

2. ring-opening polymerization of glycolide;

3. solid-state polycondensation of halogenoacetates

2. Direct poly-condensation in an azeotropic solution (an azeotrope is a mixture of 2 or more

3. Polymerization through lactide formation.

2.2.1.1.1. Polybutylene Succinate (PBS)

Polybutylene succinate (PBS), chemically synthesized by polycondensation of 1,4-butanedial

Figure 14. Chemical structure of polybutylene succinate (Okamoto et al., 2003)

2.2.1.1.2. Polybutylene Succinate Adipate (PBSA)