ABES ENGINEERING COLLEGE

MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT
SEMINAR ON
BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS

Under the supervision of-

Dr.Manbendra Saha

presented By-
Narhari Shukla(1303240835)
CONTENT
Introduction of polymers.
Biodegradable polymers.

Classification of biodegradable polymers.

Polymer Degradation mechanisms

a) Bioerosion mechanism.
b) Enzymatic or chemical degradation.
Synthetic biodegradable polymers.

Natural biodegradable polymers.

Factors affecting biodegradation of polymers.

Applications of biodegradable polymers.

Conclusion.

References.
INTRODUCTION
The term "polymer" derives from the ancient Greek word
polus, meaning "many, much" and meros, meaning "parts",
and refers to a molecule whose structure is composed of
multiple repeating units.

The term was coined in 1833 by Jons Jacob Berzelius.

A polymer is a large molecule (macromolecules) composed of

many repeated subunits, known as monomers. monomers can
be linked together in various ways to give linear, branched
and cross linked polymers .
BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS
Biodegradable polymers are defined as polymers comprised of
monomers linked to one another through functional groups and
have unstable links in the backbone.

They are broken down into biologically acceptable molecules

that are metabolized and removed from the body via normal
metabolic pathways.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN IDEAL
POLYMER
Should be versatile and possess a wide range of mechanical,
physical, chemical properties.

Should be non-toxic and have good mechanical strength and

should be easily administered.

Should be inexpensive

Should be easy to fabricate.

Should be inert to host tissue and compatible with

environment.
CLASSIFICATION OF BIODEGRADABLE
POLYMER
POLYMER DEGRADATION
Polymer degradation is a change in the properties tensile

strength, colour, shape, etc of a polymer or polymer based product

under the influence of one or more environmental factors such as

heat, light or chemicals.

Bioerosion' may be restricted to refer to physical processes that

result in weight loss of a polymer device.

The bioerosion of polymers is basically of two types :-

(1) Bulk erosion

(2) Surface erosion

MECHANISM OF
BIODEGRADATION

Biodegradation

Enzymatic
Hydrolysis Combination
Degradation

Bulk Surface
Erosion Erosion
 TYPES OF EROSION

(1) Bulk Erosion:-

Degradation takes place
Throughout the sample.
Example:Polyactic acid(PLA)
Polyglycolic acid(PGA)
(2) Surface Erosion:-
Degradation takes place
through the Surface.
Example:Polyanhydrides
 ENZYMATIC DEGRADATION

Cleavage is meditated by water,enzymes or microorganisms.

TRANSFORMATION OF SIDE CHAINS

CLEAVAGE OF CROSSLINKS

CLEAVAGE OF BACKBONE
CLASSIFICATION OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS
ON THE BASIS OF SOURCE

Synthetic Biodegradable Polymers:-

Aliphaticpolysters
Polyanhydrides
Polyaminoacids
Natural Biodegradable Polymers:-
Dextran
Albumin
Starch
 FACTORS AFFECTING BIODEGRADATION
OF POLYMER

Morphological factors
Variation of diffusion coefficient and mechanical
stresses
Chemical structure & composition
Presence of ionic group and configuration structure
Molecular weight and presence of low molecular
weight compounds
Physical factors
 APPLICATION OF
BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER
Polymer system for gene therapy.

Biodegradable polymer for ocular, tissue engineering, vascular,

orthopedic, skin adhesive & surgical glues.

Biodegradable drug system for therapeutic agents such as anti

tumor, antipsychotic agent, anti-inflammatory agent.

Polymericmaterials are used in and on soil to improve aeration,

and promote plant growth and health.

Many biomaterials, especially heart valve replacements and blood

vessels, are made of polymers like Dacron, Teflon and
polyurethane.
 CONCLUSION

Numerous synthetic biodegradable polymers are available and still

being developed for sustained and targeted drug delivery applications.

Biodegradable polymers have proven their potential for the

development of new, advanced and efficient DDS and capable of
delivering a wide range of bioactive materials.

However, only few have entered the market since many drugs faces the
problem of sensitivity to heat, shear forces and interaction between
polymers.

These problems can be overcome by fully understanding the

degradation mechanism to adjust the release profile.
 REFERENCES
Controlled and Novel Drug Delivery by N. K. Jain; pg
no: 27-51.
N.K. Jain, Pharmaceutical Product Development, second
edition : 2011, CVS Publishers PVT. LTD, New Delhi.
Pg.No.701-741.
THANK
YOU