Eco-friendly material

Consumer acceptance is not a big issue yet, but is one to keep an eye on. Supermarket chains in the UK have refused a biopolymer because it was derived from genetically modified plants, despite the fact that it is an eco-friendly material. There is even a discussion as to whether vitamins produced by fermentation... 

Biodegradable polymers The most convenient method that has emerged in this regard is the usage of biodegradable polymers and their derivatives. As a result, synthesis and modification of renewable resource-based eco-friendly materials as substitutes for the existing petroleum-based resources have been a major subject of research in recent years. Some... 

Proteins are natural, renewable, and biodegradable polymers which have attracted considerable attention in recent years in terms of advances in genetic engineering, eco-friendly materials, and novel composite materials based on renewable sources. This chapter reviews the protein structures, their physicochemical properties, their modification and their application, with particular emphasis on soy protein, zein, wheat protein, and casein. Firstly, it presents an overview of the structure, classification, hydration-dehydration, solubility, denaturation, and new concepts on proteins. Secondly, it concentrates on the physical and chemical properties of the four important kinds of proteins. Thirdly, the potential applications of proteins, including films and sheets, adhesives, plastics, blends, and composites, etc. are discussed. 

The idea of bionanocomposites—in which the reinforcing material has nanometer dimensions—is emerging to create the next generation of novel eco-friendly materials with superior performance and extensive applications in medicine, coatings, packaging, the automotive industry, etc. 

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