ABSTRACT
Biopolymers are a diverse and versatile class of materials that have potential applications in virtually all sectors of the economy. Marine biopolymers are polymers that are produced by biological systems such as microorganisms, insects, cramps, and shrimps in the marine environment. Chitin, a polysaccharide, is one of the most ubiquitous polymers found in nature. Chitosan is a modified natural carbohydrate polymer prepared by the partial N-deacetylation of the crustacean-derived natural biopolymer chitin. Alginate is extracted mainly from brown seaweed and bacteria. Agar is a phycocolloid extracted from a group of red-purple marine algae including Gelidium, Pterocladia, and Gracilaria. Marine biopolymers are one among the most important natural sources and have high potential for providing novel types of polymeric material. They are extensively used in all fields because they are ecofriendly, easily biodegradable, low cost, and easily available. Progress in this area is quite rapid as evidenced by a sharp increase in the number of papers and papers.
