ABSTRACT
The class of biopolymers encompasses all the polymeric compounds produced by living organisms and are mainly represented by polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Polysaccharides and proteins have traditionally played a major role in the food industry, presenting an extensive range of accomplished applications. Biopolymer nonfood applications are also widespread and in constant development, chie•y in medicine-where tissue engineering strategies are focused on the development of improved supportive scaffolds and new drug delivery systems-as well as in nanotechnology.
