Biodegradable polymers for microencapsulation systems

Review Article

Abstract

As scientific research and industrial processes have advanced, there has been a growing demand for environmentally friendly alternatives. According to current trends, the most promising option for artificial microcapsule systems is biodegradable polymers. Among the qualities that biodegradable systems in microencapsulation can offer for a wide range of applications are safety, efficiency, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Most biodegradable polymers have been employed as microparticles, which allow the integrated medication to be released into the environment in a regulated way. The physicochemical characteristics of drugs, the rate at which polymers degrade, and the shape and size of microparticles are the factors that regulate the rate at which drugs release their effects. For controlled, delayed, and sustained release, biodegradable polymeric matrices have been created. This article provides an overview of various polymers, specifically biodegradable polymers, that have the potential to be used in the synthesis of microcapsules. The first topic covered is natural polymers, which are broken down into two groups: protein polymers (gelatin) and polysaccharide-based polymers(cellulose, starch, chitosan, and alginate). The second section discusses synthetic polymers, with biodegradable polymers like polyesters and polyamides among others given as examples. This review provides an overview of each polymer's history, pertinent characteristics, uses, and examples from the literature pertaining to its application in biodegradable microencapsulation systems