Antimicrobial gum: a bio-based nanocomposite

With the advent of nanotechnology, it has become a common practice to inject nanoparticles into polymer matrices to create nanoparticle-based polymer composites. Polymer nanocomposites perform better than conventional materials thanks to the excellent characteristics of nanoparticles like high aspect ratio, distinctive structural qualities, and other properties. This enables nanocomposites to work as efficient drug-delivery tools, cell-imaging fluorophores, as well as bactericidal agents. These nanocomposites can be renewable or nonrenewable. Gum polysaccharides come from sources that are mainly renewable. They are easily accessible, affordable, nonhazardous, and environmentally beneficial. Gums can be classified as microbial gums, plant exudate gums, or seed gums depending on their source. In contrast to synthesized molecules, naturally occurring gum polysaccharides have a variety of uses in the biomedical field due to their distinct structures and functions. These are safe, palatable, and more biodegradable than other drug delivery methods. This chapter provides a state-of-the-art overview of the process of synthesis, and industrial and biomedical applications of biocomposites based on antibacterial gum will be discussed. To lay the groundwork for future study, metal, carbon, and organic-based nanostructures that are used in gum nanocomposites are subsequently being evaluated concerning their industrial and biomedical applications. A compilation of properties, structural variability, uses, and benefits of antimicrobial gum-based nanocomposites will also be discussed.