Production and mass transfer characteristics of non-Newtonian biopolymers for biomedical applications

Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2002;22(4):355-74. doi: 10.1080/07388550290789559.

Abstract

The market for microbial biopolymers is currently expanding to include several emerging biomedical applications. Specifically, these applications are drug delivery and wound healing. A fundamental understanding of the key fermentation parameters is necessary in order to optimize the production of these biopolymers. Considering that most microbial biopolymer systems exhibit non-Newtonian rheology, oxygen mass transfer can be an important parameter to optimize and control. In this article, we present a critical review of recent advances in rheological and mass transfer characteristics of selected biopolymers of commercial interest in biomedical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopolymers / chemistry*
  • Biopolymers / classification
  • Biopolymers / isolation & purification
  • Biopolymers / metabolism*
  • Bioreactors*
  • Biotechnology / methods
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Fermentation
  • Industrial Microbiology / instrumentation
  • Industrial Microbiology / methods*
  • Kinetics
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Rheology / methods*

Substances

  • Biopolymers