ABSTRACT
The term “biopolymers” refers to a type of polymer synthesized by living things throughout their normal development cycles. Consequently, they are also known as “natural polymers”. Complex metabolic processes take place within cells to produce them. Sugars, amino acids, and nucleotides are the monomeric building blocks of biopolymers. Covalent bonds are used to link the monomer units of these polymers to create large structures. Biopolymers include substances such as cellulose, starch, chitin, proteins, peptides, DNA, and RNA. The diversity, abundance, and significance of biopolymers and their derivatives are vital to life. Biopolymers, such as DNA and RNA, can pass genetic information from generation to generation. The primary components that plants use as building blocks are cellulose and starch. In contrast to artificial polymers, these biopolymers have been present on the Earth for billions of years. Biopolymers are structured in a particular fashion as opposed to the similar and random configurations of synthetic polymers. Therefore, biopolymers involve the disintegration of long chains into shorter chains caused by biological processes. They often have low C–C bond energies, making them vulnerable to degradation by enzymes, moisture, heat, and other causes. The nature of many biopolymers is hydrophilic; they are readily degraded after absorbing water. For the characterization of deterioration, no test technique is available. They can also be created by the hydrolysis and condensation of substances like carbohydrates, proteins, etc. They include a wide variety of materials, such as chitosan derived from crustaceans or plant derivatives (xanthol, gums, starch, etc.). Proteins (casein and gelatin) are also a part of them. Due to the overuse of fossil fuels and the current oil crisis, a switch to the use of biopolymers is required. The development of biopolymers as an alternative source of synthetic raw materials has begun in a number of polymer sectors. “BIOPOL” is the name of a program started by Imperial Chemical Industries to produce thermoplastic biopolymers. In the past, the synthesis of biopolymers has consumed more energy than the manufacture of synthetic polymers. However, modern science is moving in the direction of producing biopolymers that are both energy-efficient and marketable.
