Fundamentals of Bionanomaterials

Bionanomaterials are identified as a perfect replacement, in the quest for the search of an alternative to toxic conventional nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Bionanomaterials are the nanomaterials, that are fabricated via biomolecules or encapsulate or immobilize a conventional nanomaterial with a biomolecule. The biomolecules extracted from the microbes, plants, agricultural wastes, insects, marine organisms and certain animals are used for the formation of bionanomaterials. These bionanomaterials exhibited low or negligible toxicity towards humans, other organisms and the environment with enhanced biocompatibility, bioavailability and bioreactivity. Thus, the aim of this book is to provide an overview of various bionanomaterials, their synthesis, characterization and their application-oriented properties. The book is divided into two parts – Part 1 discusses about the bionanomaterials of exclusive natural origin, self-assembled bionanomaterials and their environmental application and Part 2 focuses on applications of distinct bionanomaterials in biomedical sciences. The ‘Chapter 1 – Bionanomaterials: Definitions, sources, types, properties, market, toxicity and regulations’ aims to provide an extensive overview of bionanomaterials, their definitions, sources, types and their properties. In addition, the toxicity of bionanomaterials and their regulations implied in recent times were also discussed. ‘Chapter 2 – Nature inspired bionanomaterials’ highlights different types of nature-inspired biosynthesized nanomaterials and their green synthesis methods, as well as some of their emerging applications, especially in the fields of nanomedicine, cosmetics, drug delivery, molecular imaging, and catalytic precursors. Further, the chapter also covers different types of bionanomaterials (e.g., viruses, protein cages, and phages) and highlights their unique properties and potential applications. ‘Chapter 3 – Culinary spices mediated biogenesis of nanoparticles for cancer and diabetes treatment’ deals with bionanomaterials synthesized by using extracts of culinary spices and its vital role in the treatment of distinct types of cancer and diabetes. In ‘Chapter 4 – Environment friendly superhydrophobic bioactive nanocoatings’, the authors have discussed the basics of exceptional water repellence behaviour and recent developments in the area of bioactive-SHC for various applications. In addition, the current and projected requirements for bioactive-SHC were also addressed. The authors of ‘Chapter 5 – Self-assembly of nanobionics: from theory to application’ reviewed, discussed, addressed and highlighted the recent advancements in bionics as an interdisciplinary field to understand the bionic materials and particles, that are mainly fabricated via self-assembly approach. In part 2, the ‘Chapter 6 – Inorganic bionanomaterials for biomedical applications’ provides an overview of inorganic bionanomaterials, its distinct types, synthesis procedures, properties and characteristics, which is essential for desired applications. ‘Chapter 7 – Polymer nanomaterials for biomedical applications’ is a comprehensive review of various polymer nanocomposite types, and further describes the synthesis, preparation, structure and biomedical application of nanocomposites. In addition, the recent developments in the field of polymer nanocomposites for biomedical applications were also discussed. ‘Chapter 8 – Lignin nanoparticles and their biomedical applications’ aims in highlighting the current trends in lignin nanoparticle depolymerization approach, focusing on microbial lignin degradation, optimization, and its biomedical applications. The authors of ‘Chapter 9 – Polymer-based nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery’ addressed the use of polymeric bionanomaterials, including hydrogels, electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds, nanocellulose, and carbohydrate nanocarriers with special emphasis to their material properties, fabrication technologies and applicability in specific targeted anatomical sites. Moreover, ‘Chapter 10 – Cationic nanoparticles for treatment of neurological diseases’ discusses about brain disorders, the role of nutraceuticals, mechanisms, delivery challenges, as well as formulation techniques and prospects of cationic nanoparticles in the therapeutic management of neuronal disorders, i.e., brain as site of drug target. Besides, ‘Chapter 11 – Carbon nanomaterials for therapeutic applications’ has highlighted the cutting-edge properties, mechanism of action, and advancements of carbon nanomaterials as drug delivery system in various diseases, such as cancer and inflammatory disorders. Further, the chapter also sheds light on the potential challenges, limitations, and future outlook for improving and growing carbon-based bionanomaterials. The final chapter ‘Chapter 12 – Liposomal bionanomaterials for nucleic acid delivery’ is a brief summary of various nucleic acid-based cationic liposomes as a potential bionanomaterial and its recent progress in the application of therapeutic nucleic acid delivery. We hope that this book will enlighten undergraduates, graduates, and industrial as well as academic researchers on the synthesis, characterization and property-oriented applications of certain exclusive bionanomaterials.