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Review
. 2021 Aug 15;13(16):2729.
doi: 10.3390/polym13162729.

Applications of Biopolymers for Drugs and Probiotics Delivery

Roxana Gheorghita  1   2 , Liliana Anchidin-Norocel  1 , Roxana Filip  3 , Mihai Dimian  2   4 , Mihai Covasa  1   5
Affiliations
Review

Applications of Biopolymers for Drugs and Probiotics Delivery

Roxana Gheorghita et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

Research regarding the use of biopolymers has been of great interest to scientists, the medical community, and the industry especially in recent years. Initially used for food applications, the special properties extended their use to the pharmaceutical and medical industries. The practical applications of natural drug encapsulation materials have emerged as a result of the benefits of the use of biopolymers as edible coatings and films in the food industry. This review highlights the use of polysaccharides in the pharmaceutical industries and as encapsulation materials for controlled drug delivery systems including probiotics, focusing on their development, various applications, and benefits. The paper provides evidence in support of research studying the use of biopolymers in the development of new drug delivery systems, explores the challenges and limitations in integrating polymer-derived materials with product delivery optimization, and examines the host biological/metabolic parameters that can be used in the development of new applications.

Keywords: controlled release; drug; polysaccharide; probiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A social network graphical illustration of biopolymers classification.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Applications of biopolymers.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Specific features of biopolymers.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Graphical representation of drug encapsulation (adapted from Madene et al. [74] with permission from the publisher).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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