Polysaccharide-based Biomaterials : Delivery of Therapeutics and Biomedical Applications

Polysaccharides are natural, renewable materials that are biodegradable and biocompatible, making them ideal subjects for biomedical applications. This book focusses on the main polysaccharides, including but not limited to chitosan, cellulose, alginate, dextran, guar gum, gellan gum, pullulan, locust bean gum, pectin, xanthan gum, starch, hyaluronan and carrageenan, and their applications in drug delivery, imaging and tissue engineering. With contributions from around the world, the editors have pulled together a tightly curated set of chapters which showcase how polysaccharide-based materials are employed in a range of biomedical systems. The end result is a book in which the reader can gain a sound overview of this important class of material for biomedical applications, without scouring journal articles. Those working in materials science, biomedical and chemical engineering, and pharmaceutical technologies will find this a must-have reference.