The biopolymers which disintegrate by themselves in biological systems during a certain period of time by enzymatic hydrolysis and to some extent by oxidation are called biodegradable polymers.
Poly-B-hydroxybutyrate-CO-B-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV):
It is a copolymer of 3-hydronypentanoic acid in which monomer unit are connected by the ester linkage.
Uses:
- It is used in especially packaging orthopaedic devices and in controlled drug release.
- Poly (glycolic acid) (lactic acid): This copolymer is called dendtron.
It is used for:
- For stitching of wounds after an operation.
- It is used for the body securing purposes.
Nylon-2-Nylon-6:
It is an alternating polyamide glycine (containing two carbon atoms) and amionocaproicacid and 6-aminohexanioc acid (containing six carbon atoms).
