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.