Gelatin biodegradation

Abrusci C., Marquina D, Santos A., Del Amo A., Corrales T, Catalina R A chemiluminescence study on degradation of gelatine. Biodegradation by bacteria and fungi isolated from cinematographic films, J. Photochem. Photobiol. A Chemistry 185 (2007) 188. 

In addition to synthetic biodegradable polymers discussed so far, naturally occurring biopolymers have also been used for fabricating implantable dmg delivery systems. Examples of natural biopolymers are proteins (e.g. albumin, casein, collagen, and gelatin) and polysaccharides (e.g. cellulose derivatives, chitin derivatives, dextran, hyaluronic acids, inulin, and starch). 

Li, J. K., Wang, N., and Wu, X. S. (1997), A novel biodegradable system based on gelatin nanoparticles and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres for protein and peptide drug delivery, J. Pharm. Sci., 86(8), 891-895. 

Polymer nanoparticles including nanospheres and nanocapsules (Fig. 1) can be prepared according to numerous methods that have been developed over the last 30 years. The development of these methods occurred in several steps. Historically, the first nanoparticles proposed as carriers for therapeutic applications were made of gelatin and cross-linked albumin. Then, to avoid the use of proteins that may stimulate the immune system and to limit the toxicity of the cross-linking agents, nanoparticles made from synthetic polymers were developed. At first, the nanoparticles were made by emulsion polymerization of acrylamide and by dispersion polymerization of methylmethacry-late.f These nanoparticles were proposed as adjuvants for vaccines. However, since they were made of non-biodegradable polymers, these nanoparticles were rapidly substituted by particles made of biodegradable... 

Several other biodegradable, biocompatible, injectable polymers are being investigated for drug delivery systems. They include polyvinyl alcohol, block copolymer of PLA-PEG, polycyanoacrylate, polyanhydrides, cellulose, alginate, collagen, gelatin, albumin, starches, dextrans, hyaluronic acid and its derivatives, and hydroxyapatite. ... 

They are made of polymeric, waxy, or other protective materials, that is, biodegradable synthetic polymers and modified natural products such as starches, gums, proteins, fats, and waxes. The natural polymers include albumin and gelatin " the synthetic polymers include polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid. ... 

Gelatin is widely used in a variety of pharmaceutical formulations, including its use as a biodegradable matrix material in an implantable delivery system, " although it is most frequently used to form either hard or soft gelatin capsules. ... 

Chiellini, E. Cinelli, P. Corti, A. Kenawy, E.R. Composite films based on waste gelatin Thermal-mechanical properties and biodegradation testing. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 2001, 73, 549 - 555. 

---