Biopolymers: Sustainable Materials for Tomorrow II Polymers

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Context:

Minister of State (I/C) for Earth Sciences inaugurated India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers at Jejuri in Pune.

Biopolymers

They are polymers that are produced by or derived from living organisms, such as plants and microbes, rather than from petroleum, the traditional source of polymers.

Like other polymers, biopolymers consist of monomeric units that are covalently bonded in chains to form larger molecules.

Melanin, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), cutin and cutan (complex polymers of long-chain fatty acids), suberin and lignin (complex polyphenolic polymers), and natural rubbers (polymers of isoprene) are examples of biopolymers.

What is a polymer?

A polymer is a type of natural or synthetic substances which are composed of very large molecules, called macromolecules, which are multiples of simpler chemical units called monomers.

Polymers are the constituents of various materials or parts of living organisms and are also the basis of many minerals and man-made materials. Examples of naturally occurring polymers are silk, wool, DNA, cellulose and proteins.

Nylon, polyethylene, polyester, Teflon, and epoxy are some examples of synthetic polymers. Natural polymers occur in nature and can be extracted.

Types of Biopolymers:

Polynucleotides, polypeptides, and polysaccharides are the three primary groups of biopolymers, which are categorised based on the monomers utilised and the structure of the biopolymer produced.

Polynucleotides are lengthy nucleotide polymers.

RNA and DNA are examples of polynucleotides. Proteins and shorter polymers of amino acids are known as polypeptides; collagen, actin, and fibrin are a few prominent examples.

Polysaccharides are linear or branching chains of sugar carbs.

Starch, cellulose, and alginate are examples of polysaccharides.

Polypeptides are shorter polymers of amino acids.

Examples include collagen, actin, and fibrin.

Significance

Biopolymers can be sustainable, carbon neutral and are always renewable, because they are made from plant or animal materials which can be grown indefinitely.

Since these materials come from agricultural crops, their use could create a sustainable industry due to its biodegradability.

Apart from their numerous vital functions in living things, biopolymers are used in a wide range of industries, such as manufacturing, packaging, biomedical engineering, and the food sector.

Biopolymers can be composted or broken down by microorganisms into natural substances, such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Thus their usage as biodegradable plastics reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.

Biopolymers and Synthetic polymers difference

Feature	Biopolymers	Synthetic Polymers
*Definition*	They are polymers produced by or derived from living organisms, such as plants and microbes, rather than from petroleum.	Synthetic polymers are man-made polymers produced by chemical reactions.
*Structure*	They often have well-defined, complex structures.	These polymers generally have simpler, more random structures.
*Monomer Arrangement*	Biopolymers have a specific sequence of monomers, known as their primary structure.	Synthetic polymers have a variable, stochastic arrangement of monomers.
*Molecular Mass Distribution*	They are monodisperse. This means they have a uniform mass due to template-directed synthesis.	These polymers are polydisperse and exhibit a varied mass distribution.
*Folding*	Biopolymers spontaneously fold into characteristic shapes that are important for their function.	Synthetic polymers lack defined folding patterns and are usually linear.
*Biological Function*	Their structure and folding determines the function of the polymer.	Their Functions depend on their physical and chemical properties.
*Study Field*	The study of biopolymers falls under structural biology.	The study of synthetic polymers is categorized as polymer science.

Sources:

PIB

SCIENCE DIRECT

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the Biopolymers:

They are polymers that are produced by or derived from living organisms, such as plants and microbes.
They generally have simpler, more random structures.
Biopolymers have applications in many fields including the food industry, manufacturing, packaging, and biomedical engineering.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C. All Three

D.None

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

Biopolymers are polymers that are produced by or derived from living organisms, such as plants and microbes, rather than from petroleum, the traditional source of polymers.

The primary sources of biopolymers are renewable.

Like other polymers, biopolymers consist of monomeric units that are covalently bonded in chains to form larger molecules.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

They often have well-defined, complex structures.

Synthetic polymers generally have simpler, more random structures.

Statement 3 is correct:

Examples of biopolymers include natural rubbers (polymers of isoprene), suberin and lignin (complex polyphenolic polymers), cutin and cutan (complex polymers of long-chain fatty acids), melanin, and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs).

In addition to their many essential roles in living organisms, biopolymers have applications in many fields including the food industry, manufacturing, packaging, and biomedical engineering.

BIOPOLYMERS