Biomedical applications of bio-degradable green composites

This chapter provides an overview of the biomedical applications of biodegradable green composites with emphasis on drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound care, personal hygiene, 3D printing and biosensing. Biodegradable green composites were appraised as formulation components and pharmaceutical vehicles for oral, transdermal, local and ocular delivery. These composites were also reviewed as scaffolds for the engineering of different types of tissues including the skin, neural, musculoskeletal, cardiac, vascular, urological and bone tissues. A wide range of biodegradable green composites involving mainly nanocellulose, nanostarch, chitin, lignin, banana peel and soy protein investigated as biomaterials for wound care were examined. Finally, an update was provided on the potential use of biodegradable green composites in the development of health care and personal hygiene materials, bioinks for 3D printing and biosensing. Conclusions and future perspectives highlighted achievements and challenges facing upcoming developments of biodegradable green composites and their large-scale production.