Polysaccharides, modification biodegradable water-soluble

Although there has been much research activity to produce totally biodegradable water-soluble polymers for a variety of applications, especially for detergents, few commercial successes have been registered beyond poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene oxide)s and, in a limited way, poly(aspartic acid)s. Almost all efforts to obtain new carbon chain polymers that are completely biodegradable have failed, at least in the short term testing protocols currently in use. Some promising leads are noted in condensation polymers, poly(aspartic acid)s, acetals, etc. and in the modification of natural polysaccharides. 

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