ABSTRACT
This book chapter aims to provide insight into different types of biopolymers and the use of various nanosized materials as fillers to make bionanocomposites. Biopolymers, when reinforced with nanomaterials, increase their functionality such that they can replace the use of petroleum-based polymers. Thus, biodegradable nanocomposite films and coatings can be a green solution to the environmental problem invited due to conventional plastic waste. This chapter covers one by one “in-depth” description of plant-derived, animal-derived, and microbial biopolymers. There are different techniques and modification methods to develop bionanocomposites of intended use. The chapter mainly focuses on preparation, properties, and application of these films and coatings in food and drug delivery. Recently, food packaging, food processing, and food safety have reached the next level of advancement, and transdermal drug delivery, targeted drug delivery, implants, and tissue engineering in the medical field have achieved a milestone using nanocomposites. The latest innovations and research in these fields are discussed in this chapter, and the summarized regulatory and safety aspects are given in the end.
