Biodegradable Polymers: Concepts and Applications

Basic concepts on biodegradable biopolymer science are presented in this book, as well as techniques, analyses, standards, and essential criteria for the characterization of biodegradable materials obtained from biopolymers. The development and innovation of products and processes considering the environment are highlighted in this book. All of the applications described have been discussed from the point of view of sustainability. Additionally, this book highlights that biodegradability is a great burden when trying to replace, modify, and/or design existing products, and processes that are highly polluting. Finally, the present book concludes with reflections on the development of biopolymers in different areas, and some of their consequences depending on their biodegradability.

Margarita del Rosario Salazar Sánchez is BSc. in Biology in 2008 from the University of Cauca, Colombia, and MSc. in Continental Hydrobiological Resources in 2013 and PhD in Agrarian and Agroindustrial Sciences at the University of Cauca, Colombia in 2019. Her topics of interest as a professor and researcher include ecotoxicity, polymer biodegradation, ecology, food biotechnology, bioprocesses and food preservation and processing; topics in which several articles have been published in peer-reviewed journals. She is currently a researcher and professor at the Universidad Popular del Cesar, Colombia.

José Fernando Solanilla Duque is BSc. Eng. in Agroindustrial Engineering in 1996 from the Universidad Gran Colombia, Colombia, and his PhD in Colloids and Interface Science and Technology from the Universidad Pablo de Olavide (Spain), in 2009. He has been a professor since February 1995 at the Universidad del Quindío, Universidad del Tolima and currently at the Universidad del Cauca. His topics of interest as a teacher and researcher include food biotechnology, interfacial properties of biopolymers, bioprocesses and food preservation, where he has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Aidé Sáenz Galindo: Research Professor at the Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila Mexico. Degree in Chemical Sciences with a PhD in Polymers from the Centro de Investigación en Química. D. in Polymers from the Centro de Investigación en Química and a post doctorate in the Department of Advanced Materials at the Centro de Investigación en Química. The research line of work is related to developing synthetic and natural polymeric composites and nano-materials, specializing in the surface modification of carbon-based nanostructures. Lecturer at the undergraduate level of subjects related to Organic Chemistry, in the educational programs of Chemist, QFB and Eng. Chemistry, a member of the Basic Academic Nucleus of the Postgraduate Master and PhD in Materials Science and Technology and Master in Chemical Science and Technology, currently Coordinator of the Master in Materials Science and Technology, and has SNI recognition from 2008 to date, In 2013 she was awarded first place at national level in the Green Chemistry competition, awarded by the Chemical Society of Mexico-BASF-ULAP. She has supervised theses at Bachelor, Master and PhD level, as well as author of books, book chapters and scientific articles.

Raúl Rodríguez Herrera is a professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, México. He has published 310 referred papers, 6 books, 25 patents and 120 book chapters. He has been distinguished with: twice PCCMCA Congress prize (1988 and 1990), Researcher-level 3 Mexico (2018), Guest of Honor-Kannur University, prize in Food Science and Technology, (2003), Agro-Bio Prize (2005). Dr. Rodriguez has held conferences in different countries and served as a reviewer for more than 25 JCR Journals. His research focuses on: 1. plant genome, 2. isolation and cloning of genes codifying for enzymes with industrial applications from microbial and plant genomes, 3. transgenic detections in processed food and 4. functional foods. E-mail: raul.rodriguez@uadec.edu.mx. ORCID: 0000-0002-6428-4925.