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Biopolymers are referred to as polymers made from natural sources. Chemically synthesised from biological components or biosynthesised by live organisms are two manufacturing processes. Monomeric units are covalently linked together to form biopolymers. Larger molecules are formed from these monomeric units. Biopolymers, unlike most petroleum-based polymers, are generated from living creatures such as plants and bacteria, making them a sustainable resource.
Read More: Carboxylic Acids
| Table of Content |
Key Takeaways: Polymers, Biopolymers, Synthetic Polymers, Protein, Starch, Cellulose, DNA, RNA, Lipids, Collagen, Carbohydrates
Read More: Synthetic Polymers
Biopolymers
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Biopolymers are mainly biodegradable. They're used in a variety of industries, including food, manufacturing, packaging, and biomedical engineering. Because of their abundance, biocompatibility, and unique qualities such as non-toxicity, biopolymers are intriguing materials. Biopolymers are being explored for use in a growing number of ways, using nanosized reinforcements to improve their characteristics and practical uses. Protein, starch, cellulose, DNA, RNA, lipids, collagen, carbohydrates are some examples of biopolymers.
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Types of Biopolymers
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Biopolymers can be categorised on a variety of scales. These classifications are based on their origin, the quantity of monomeric units, degradability, heat response, and other factors. The following are some of the classifications:
On the Basis of Type
- Sugar based Polymers: In the production process, starch or sucrose is employed as an input. Lactic acid polymers are made from lactose using potatoes, maize, and other sources.
- Starch based Polymer: Starch is a natural polymer made up of glucose molecules. It's present in the tissues of plants.
- Cellulose based Polymer: This polymer is composed of glucose derived from natural sources such as cotton and is used for packaging. Example- cellophane.
- Synthetic Materials: Synthetic materials derived from petroleum can be used to create biodegradable polymers.
On the Basis of Origin
- Natural Biopolymers: These are biopolymers produced naturally by living organisms.
- Synthetic Biopolymers: These are biodegradable polymers created from renewable ingredients such as polylactic acid.
- Microbial Biopolymers: It is produced by microorganism
On the Basis of Monomeric Unit
- Polysaccharide: These are either branching or linear carbohydrate chains: For example, starch, cellulose.
- Protein: These are Polymers made up of amino acids, for example collagen, fibrin etc.
- Polynucleotides: Long polymer chains made up of 13 or more monomeric units make up nucleic acids. DNA, RNA are examples.
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Application of Biopolymer
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1. Biomedical
Biopolymers are frequently employed in biomedical applications. They are employed in tissue engineering, pharmaceutical industry, medications, drug delivery, and other applications due to features like degradability and non-toxicity. Polypeptides are cheap and easy to come by, thus they're used in a variety of biomedical products. Systems for delivering drugs- To target the drug and improve medication absorption, biopolymers such as collagen and chitosan are utilised as drug delivery methods. Burn wounds are commonly treated with collagen sponges. Tissue engineering uses both collagen and chitosan. These are extremely permeable, allowing wounds to heal quickly.
2. Industrial Use
Biopolymers are used as industry-standard materials due to their unique features. They are coupled with various components to strengthen the qualities of these biopolymers in order to improve their desired features and uses. PHA, polylactic acid, and starch are commonly used in packaging because they are affordable and readily available. They also contain barrier properties that aren't found in other polymers, such as the ability to withstand water. Interior and exterior parts, electrical components, engine, exhaust, steering wheels, and other biopolymers are employed in the automotive industry. To boost the desirable qualities of concrete, biopolymers are added to the cement during the preparation process. They are utilised in the interior decoration building business. Because chitosan possesses capabilities that remove metals from water, it can be used to purify water. It's also used in places to prevent microbe growth because of its antibacterial characteristics.
3. Agricultural/Fishery
It is used in making Fishing lines, fertilisers, beehives, nets, traps, etc.
4. Electronics
It is used in the manufacturing of audio devices, printed circuit boards, insulated wires, cables and other electronic devices as well.
5. Cosmetics
It is well used for cleaning purposes, pedicure and manicure, and also used in cosmetic products such as sunscreen, hair products, creams etc.
6. Sports/Toys
It is used in manufacturing of sports equipment such as footballs and other hollow balls, cleats, badminton, golf equipment, etc.
7. Nanotechnology
It is also used in the production of nanomaterials. Biopolymers have several special qualities that make them valuable in various fields of science, such as green chemistry.
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Difference between Biopolymers and Synthetic Polymers
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| Biopolymers | Synthetic polymer |
|---|---|
| Biopolymers are naturally occurring polymers found in the environment and within living organisms. | These are polymer compounds that have been synthesised artificially. |
| It is mostly degradable | It is mostly non-degradable |
| It has monodispersity- Each type of biopolymer is the same. | It has polydispersity- They have a more irregular characteristic. |
| It has complex structure | It has simpler structure |
| It is included in Renewable resources as they are obtained from living organism such as plants | It is included in Non-renewable as the traditional source of synthetic polymers is mainly petroleum |
| It is non toxic | It is toxic |
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Things to Remember
- Polymers made from natural sources are known as biopolymers. Chemically synthesised from biological components or biosynthesised by live organisms are two manufacturing processes.
- Biopolymers are mainly biodegradable. They're used in a variety of industries, including food, manufacturing, packaging, and biomedical engineering.
- Their structure distinguishes them significantly. Monomers, or repeated units, make up all polymers. The fundamental structure of proteins is made up of chemical units that are ordered in a precise order. Biological activities are defined by the natural folding of several biopolymers into compact forms.
- Synthetic polymers have relatively simple and arbitrary structures. This element may indicate the molecular mass distribution that is not observed in biopolymers, as their synthesis is regulated through a template-directed process.
- Biopolymers can be categorised on a variety of scales. These classifications are based on their origin, the quantity of monomeric units, degradability, heat response, and other factors.
Read More: Dehydration Of Alcohols
Sample Questions
Ques 1. Give 2 examples of biopolymers. (1 mark)
Ans. Protein and starch
Ques 2. Write the classification of biopolymers on the basis of origin. (3 marks)
Ans. On the basis of Origin:
Natural Biopolymers: These are biopolymers produced naturally by living organisms.
Synthetic Biopolymers: These are biodegradable polymers created from renewable ingredients such as polylactic acid.
Microbial biopolymers: It is produced by microorganism
Ques 3. Write the classification of biopolymers on the basis of monomeric units. (3 marks)
Ans. On the basis of Monomeric unit
Polysaccharide: These are either branching or linear carbohydrate chains: For example, starch, cellulose.
Protein: These are Polymers made up of amino acids, for example collagen, fibrin etc.
Polynucleotides: Long polymer chains made up of 13 or more monomeric units make up nucleic acids. DNA, RNA are examples.
Ques 4. What is a biodegradable polymer? Give an example of a biodegradable aliphatic polyester. (1 mark)
Ans. A Biodegradable Polymer is a polymer that microorganisms can degrade. An aliphatic biodegradable polyester is poly-hydroxybutyrate-CO-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV).
Ques 5. What are natural and synthetic polymers? Give two examples of each type. (2 marks)
Ans. Natural polymers are polymers that occur naturally. Polymers derived from animals and plants are known as natural polymers. Protein, starch, cellulose, and other natural polymers are examples.
Synthetic polymers are those that are created especially. Synthetic rubbers (Buna-5), synthetic fibres (nylon 6, 6), and plastics are all examples of synthetic polymers (polythene).
Ques 6. Explain about the role of biopolymers in industries. (4 marks)
Ans. Biopolymers are used as industry-standard materials due to their unique features. They are coupled with various components to strengthen the qualities of these biopolymers in order to improve their desired features and uses. PHA, polylactic acid, and starch are commonly used in packaging because they are affordable and readily available. They also contain barrier properties that aren't found in other polymers, such as the ability to withstand water. Interior and exterior parts, electrical components, engine, exhaust, steering wheels, and other biopolymers are employed in the automotive industry. To boost the desirable qualities of concrete, biopolymers are added to the cement during the preparation process. They are utilised in the interior decoration building business. Because chitosan possesses capabilities that remove metals from water, it can be used to purify water. It's also used in places to prevent microbe growth because of its antibacterial characteristics.
Ques 7. Write the applications of biopolymer (5 marks)
Ans. Applications of biopolymer:
- Biomedical- Biopolymers are frequently employed in biomedical applications. They are employed in tissue engineering, pharmaceutical industry, medications, drug delivery, and other applications due to features like degradability and non-toxicity.
- Agricultural/Fishery- It is used in making Fishing lines, fertilisers, beehives, nets, traps, etc.
- Electronics- It is used in the manufacturing of audio devices, printed circuit boards, insulated wires, cables and other electronic devices as well.
- Cosmetics- It is well used for cleaning purposes, pedicure and manicure, and also used in cosmetic products such as sunscreen, hair products, creams etc.
- Sports/Toys- It is used in manufacturing of sports equipment such as footballs and other hollow balls, cleats, badminton, golf equipment, etc.
Ques 8. Differentiate between biopolymer and synthetic polymer (5 marks)
Ans. The differences are:
| Biopolymers | Synthetic polymer |
|---|---|
| Biopolymers are naturally occurring polymers found in the environment and within living organisms. | These are polymer compounds that have been synthesised artificially. |
| It is mostly degradable | It is mostly non-degradable |
| It has monodispersity- Each type of biopolymer is the same. | It has polydispersity- They have a more irregular characteristic. |
| It has complex structure | It has simpler structure |
| It is included in Renewable resources as they are obtained from living organism such as plants | It is included in Non-renewable as the traditional source of synthetic polymers is mainly petroleum |
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