Projects

Chemically Modified Biopolymers : Synthesis, Characterization & Applications

Over the years, chemical conjugation of bioactive molecules onto polymer matrices has emerged as a versatile strategy for a wide spectrum of applications including protein purification, waste water management, drug delivery, etc. Of particular interest are the chemical conjugations on biopolymers like chitin, starch, etc. which are cheap, easily available, biocompatible, non-toxic and above all, biodegradable also. The research activity in our laboratory aims at the development of novel biopolymer matrices with potential applications in waste water management, drug delivery etc. For instance, the β-oxothioamide derivative of chitosan biopolymer was found to have potential applications as a metal chelator for waste water management. We have also successfully grafted analogues of drugs like bupropion onto the chitosan backbone which will facilitate the slow release of the drug into the biological system. The newly synthesized biopolymers are characterized by FT-IR spectroscopic as well as thermal studies like DSC, TGA, etc.

  DSC plot of Bupropion immobilized Chitosan                          DSC plot of Chitosan