Biodegradable polymers in drug delivery

Razvoj tehnologije doprinosi otkrivanju novih metoda, materijala, sustava za praćenje te sintezi novih spojeva. U novije doba, stavlja se naglasak na očuvanje okoliša smanjenjem kemijskog otpada i toksičnih nusprodukata. Razvoj raznih biorazgradivih polimernih materijala, ne samo da podržava ekologičnost nego se razvija paralelno s njom. Biorazgradivi polimeri su materijali koji se prirodno razgrađuju u okolišu, ali ne uvijek jednako brzo ili u jednakim uvjetima. Biorazgradnja se odvija uz pomoć mikroorganizama i enzima. Postoji više podjela biorazgradivih polimera, npr. prema kemijskom sastavu, primjeni, načinu dobivanja i preradi, ali najvažnija je podjela s obzirom na podrijetlo gdje razlikujemo prirodne (npr. škrob) i sintetske (npr. polilaktid) biorazgradive polimere. Njihova primjena je od sve većeg značaja zbog održive prirode i boljeg utjecaja na okoliš, ako se pravilno zbrinjavaju. Biorazgradivi polimerni materijali imaju raznovrsnu primjenu, npr. u medicinskoj industriji, farmaceutskoj industriji, poljoprivredi, tekstilnoj industriji, kod pakiranja ambalaža, itd. Ovaj rad se bazira na karakteristikama (struktura, dobivanje, svojstva) biorazgradivih polimera, njihovoj ulozi u modernom sustavu dostave lijekova te primjeni u izradi hidrogelova.The development of technology contributes to the discovery of new methods, materials, monitoring systems and the synthesis of new compounds. In recent times, emphasis has been placed on preserving the environment by reducing chemical waste and toxic by-products. The development of various biopolymer materials not only supports ecology but also develops along with it. Biodegradable polymers are materials that break down naturally in the environment, but not always at the same speed or under the same conditions. Biodegradation takes place with the help of microorganisms and enzymes. There are several divisions of biopolymers, e.g., according to chemical composition, application, method of obtaining and processing, but the most important division is based on origin, where we distinguish between natural (e.g., starch) and synthetic (e.g., polylactide) biodegradable polymers. Their application is of increasing importance due to their sustainable nature and better impact on the environment, if they are properly disposed of. Biodegradable polymer materials have a variety of applications, for example, in the medical industry, pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, textile industry, packaging, etc. This work is based on the characteristics (structure, preparation, properties) of biodegradable polymers, their role in the modern drug delivery system and their application in the production of hydrogels