English Abstract

Biomacromolecules as Organic Resources Yoshiro KANEKO Jun-ichi KADOKAWA Department of Nano-structured & Advanced Materials, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, JAPAN Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi,(2008),81(3),112-117 General Review in Japanese Abstract The present article briefly reviews recent research developments in the area for production of functional composite materials using biomacromolecules, e.g., polysaccharides, as organic resources. In the first part, we explain fundamental characteristics of cellulose a nd amylose as abundant organic resources. In the second part, preparation of composites composed of polysaccharides and the other biomacromolecules is described. A film and a hydrogel of cellulose-based composites were prepared by the combination with amylopectin and gelatin, respectively. On the other hand, amylose-based composites were synthesized by the combination with chitin and chitosan using blend and chemoenzymatic synthetic methods. In the third part, we describe preparation of cellulose-based composites combinated with synthetic materials. Transparent cellulose-based composite films composed of bacterial cellulose and thermosetting resins such as acrylic and epoxy resins were prepared. Furthermore, use of ionic liquids efficiently provided various cellulose-based composites combinated with synthetic materials such as polymeric ionic liquids and carbon nanotube. Keywords: Organic Resource, Biomacromolecule, Polysaccharide, Composite, Cellulose, Amylose

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