Publication

Abstract : Polymeric nano-architectures are needed to address many of the critical challenges that we face today in areas such as energy, sustainability, clean water, health care, biotechnology, informatics, defence and security. Tree exudate gums are used in a multitude of applications, especially in the food industry but there are also numerous non-food applications such as biosynthesis and stabilization of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles, production of electrospun fibres, environmental bioremediation, biocatalysis, biosensors, and coordination complexes of metal–hydrogels, and for antimicrobial and biomedical applications. The present chapter reports an ecofriendly, facile synthetic route, biodegradable fibres, and nanoparticles prepared from the combination of tree gums with natural/synthetic materials. The major influencing factors such as biosynthesis protocol, conditions including pH, solvent, temperature, and their effect on physicochemical, structural, mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation of the composite fibres, and nanoparticles are briefly discussed. The developed tree gum-based biogenic nanoparticles, fibres, composites, and films are shown suitable for practical food packaging, energy harvesting, environmental, and biomedical applications.