The emergence of clinical complications and therapeutic challenges for treating various diseases necessitate the discovery of novel restorative functional materials. Polymer-based drug delivery systems have been extensively reported in the last two decades. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the progression of natural biopolymers based controlled therapeutic strategies, especially in drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. However, the solubility and functionalisation due to their complex network structure and intramolecular bonding seem challenging. This review explores the current advancement and prospects of the most promising natural polymers such as cellulose, starch and their derivatives-based drug delivery vehicles like hydrogels, films and composites, in combating major ailments such as bone infections, microbial infections, and cancers. In addition, selective drug targeting using metal-drug (MD) and MD-based polymeric missiles have been exciting but challenging for its application in cancer therapeutics. Owing to high biocompatibility of starch and cellulose, these materials have been extensively evaluated in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. This review presents a detailed impression of the current trends for the construction of biopolymer-based tissue engineering, drug/gene/protein delivery vehicles. 

Multifunctional applications of natural polysaccharide starch and cellulose: An update on recent advances

Polysaccharides (PSA) have taken specific position among biomaterials for advanced applications in medicine. Nevertheless, poor mechanical properties are known as the main drawback of PSA, which highlights the need for PSA modification. Nanocomposites PSA (NPSA) are a class of biomaterials widely used as biomedical platforms, but despite their importance and worldwide use, they have not been reviewed. Herein, we critically reviewed the application of NPSA by categorizing them into generic and advanced application realms. First, the application of NPSA as drug and gene delivery systems, along with their role in the field as an antibacterial platform and hemostasis agent is discussed. Then, applications of NPSA for skin, bone, nerve, and cartilage tissue engineering are highlighted, followed by cell encapsulation and more critically cancer diagnosis and treatment potentials. In particular, three features of investigations are devoted to cancer therapy, i.e., radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and photothermal therapy, are comprehensively reviewed and discussed. Since this field is at an early stage of maturity, some other aspects such as bioimaging and biosensing are reviewed in order to give an idea of potential applications of NPSA for future developments, providing support for clinical applications. It is well-documented that using nanoparticles/nanomaterials above a critical concentration brings about concerns of toxicity; thus, their effect on cellular interactions would become critical. We compared nanoparticles used in the fabrication of NPSA in terms of toxicity mechanism to shed more light on future challenging aspects of NPSA development. Indeed, the neutralization mechanisms underlying the cytotoxicity of nanomaterials, which are expected to be induced by PSA introduction, should be taken into account for future investigations.

Polysaccharide-based nanocomposites for biomedical applications: a critical review.

Recent progress in cellulose-based composites towards flame retardancy applications

Biotransformation of nylon-6,6 hydrolysate to bacterial cellulose

Coproduction of exopolysaccharide and polyhydroxyalkanoates from Sphingobium yanoikuyae BBL01 using biochar pretreated plant biomass hydrolysate.

The present work report for the first time on the production of bacterial cellulose (BC) using natural loofa sponge (Luffa aegyptiaca) as a scaffold for the immobilization of Gluconacetobacter kombuchae. Bacterial cellulose (BC) are recently gained more attention in several fields including biological and biomedical applications due to their outstanding physico-chemical characteristics including high thermal stability, easy biodegradability, good water holding capacity, high tensile strength, and high degree of polymerization. The increase in requirement of alternative method for the enhancement of BC production under economical aspect develops a positive impact in large scale industries. In this study, Luffa aegyptiaca (LA) was introduced in a separate fermentation medium so as to enhance the concentration of BC production by Gluconacetobacter kombuchae. Different process/medium parameters such as initial pH, static/shaking condition, inoculum size, nitrogen source, C/N ratio, supplements (ethanol and acetic acid) were analysed for the production of bacterial cellulose using LA support. The maximum yield of BC was obtained using following condition: culturing condition -shaking; initial pH - 5.5; nitrogen source- yeast extract, C/N ratio - 40 and supplement-ethanol. The characterization of the BC was examined using Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis. The biofilm formation on the surface of LA was examined by SEM photographs. Thus, implementation of LA as a support in shaking fermentation under suitable medium/process variables enhanced the BC production.

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Production of bacterial cellulose using Gluconacetobacter kombuchae immobilized on Luffa aegyptiaca support

The biosorption potential of cost-effective and agricultural residue, Ipomoea carnea wood (ICW) was examined by the removal of cationic dye, methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The surface m...

Ipomoea carnea : a novel biosorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous dye solution: kinetic, equilibrium and statistical approach.

Dextrans are exo-polysaccharides prominently used as biomaterial on the grounds of their biodegradability and biocompatibility characteristics. There is an increasing interest and need to identify alternative cost-effective and renewable carbon source for dextran to reduce the production cost and to improve the overall economy of dextran production. In this work, dextran was produced using Saccharum officinarum juice (SOJ) as a low-carbon source by Leuconostoc mesenteroides MTCC 7337. The suitable condition/parameter for the production of dextran was found to be medium pH, 7; shaking speed, 150 rpm; inoculum size, 5% v/v; and nitrogen source, yeast extract. The different downstream factors including screening of solvent, supernatant to solvent ratio and precipitation time on the recovery of dextran, were studied. The organic solvent, ethanol with volume ratio of 1:4 (supernatant to solvent ratio), and precipitation time of 16 h were selected based on the maximum recovery of dextran from SOJ medium. The purified dextran was characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis. The results of rheological studies indicate that dextran solution behaves like a pseudoplastic fluid at higher concentrations of dextran solution. Based on the results, it was found that SOJ could be used as an alternate substrate for the production of dextran.

Cost-effective production of dextran using Saccharum officinarum juice (SOJ) as a potential feedstock: downstream processing and characterization

Conventional optimization and characterization of microbial dextran using treated sugarcane molasses.

Regenerative therapy is a rapidly growing field with current high market potential and for the future. In gene therapy, typically genetic or acquired diseases caused by defective genes are cured by the transfection of genes. Genetic material is delivered into target cells using a suitable delivery vector. In tissue engineering, growth factors are delivered through appropriate scaffolds to expedite tissue regeneration and healing. However, the characteristics of these delivery systems depend on specific therapeutic conditions. In general, both gene delivery vectors and scaffolds used to deliver growth factors need to have certain properties such as stability under physiologic conditions, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Chitosan and its derivatives are recognized as promising polymeric delivery systems for genes and growth factors. Apart from biocompatibility, biodegradability, and inherent antimicrobial activity, chitosan and chitosan derivatives can easily be fabricated into various shapes. In this chapter, various chitosan-based systems used in gene and growth factor delivery are discussed, as well as their properties and performance. 

Sugumaran Karuppiah

Papers

Production of bacterial cellulose using Gluconacetobacter kombuchae immobilized on Luffa aegyptiaca support

Ipomoea carnea : a novel biosorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous dye solution: kinetic, equilibrium and statistical approach.

Cost-effective production of dextran using Saccharum officinarum juice (SOJ) as a potential feedstock: downstream processing and characterization

Conventional optimization and characterization of microbial dextran using treated sugarcane molasses.

Gene and growth factor delivery by chitosan systems