Chapter 14 - Marine biopolymers in implants

Abstract

Biopolymers are nontoxic, biodegradable, biocompatible and have excellent flexibility properties, which are for medical purpose and implantable medical devices. Several research studies have been undertaken to demonstrate the potential of biomaterials in tissue engineering, tissue regeneration, promote healing, systems for drug delivery, and therapeutic implants as the need for them grows. Implants are devices that mimic a biological component and are employed to replace a destroyed organ in order to maintain normal body function. While materials such as metals, ceramics, and polymers are employed in the creation of medical implants, they have drawbacks such as immunologic rejections by the body, high cost. Bacteria, insects, crabs, and shrimp produce marine biopolymers in the marine environment. Marine resources have become more well-known and sought-after as having to cut resources for the production of biopolymers such as proteins and polysaccharides. Biopolymers including such proteins, polyesters, cationic polysaccharide, anionic carbohydrates, natural polysaccharides, and others are abundant in marine species such as plants, animals, algae, and certain microbes. This chapter focuses on marine biopolymers, which are employed or can be utilized to create implants, despite the fact that silk, polylactic acid, alginate, chitosan, and gelatin are all biopolymers that can be employed in the healthcare system. The approach of these biopolymers in several medical devices utilized in various medical sectors such as cardiology, dermatology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology is also discussed here.