The Handbook of Natural Polymers: Sources, Synthesis, and Characterization is a comprehensive resource covering extraction and processing methods for polymers from natural sources, with an emphasis on the latest advances. The book begins by introducing the current state-of-the-art, challenges, and opportunities in natural polymers. This is followed by detailed coverage of extraction, synthesis, and characterization methods, organized by polymer type. Along with broad chapters discussing approaches to polysaccharide-based polymers, dedicated chapters offer in-depth information on nanocellulose, chitin and chitosan, gluten, alginate, natural rubber, gelatin, pectin, lignin, keratin, gutta percha, shellac, silk, wood, casein, albumin, collagen, hemicellulose, polyhydroxyalkanoates, zein, soya protein, and gum. The final chapters explore other key themes, including filler interactions and properties in natural polymer-based composites, biocompatibility and cytotoxicity, biodegradability, life cycle, and recycling. Throughout the book, information is supported by data, and guidance is offered regarding potential scale-up and industry factors. As part of a 3-volume handbook offering comprehensive coverage of natural polymers, this book will be of interest to all those looking to gain a broad knowledge of natural polymers, including academic researchers, scientists, advanced students, engineers, and R&D professionals from a range of disciplines and industries.

Table of Contents:
1. The state of the art of biopolymers, challenges and opportunities, and future prospects 2. Extraction and classification of starch from different sources: structure, properties and characterization 3. Starch as a promising replacement for synthetic polymers, and starch-based composites, blends, IPNs and Gels 4. Extraction of Nanocellulose from natural resources 5. Nanocellulose a promising reinforcement for polymers 6. Commercialization of polysaccharides: Lab to industry 7. Extraction of chitin and chitosan and its structural evaluation 8. Chitin and Chitosan based polymer blends, IPNs and gels 9. Antibacterial activity of Chitin and Chitosan 10. Grafted natural polymers: synthesis and structure property relationships 11. Isolation of Gluten from wheat flour and structural analysis 12. Extraction of alginate from different natural resources 13. Physical and chemical impact of nanoparticles reinforced alginate-based biomaterials 14. Natural Rubber based micro and nanocomposites 15. Gelatin based polymer blends, IPNs, Gels, cryogels, and aerogels 16. Isolation and structural evaluation of Pectin; Pectin based polymer blends, composites, IPNs and gels 17. Extraction of lignin and their blends, composites, IPNs and gels 18. Isolation and processing of Keratin based polymer blends, composites, IPNs and gels  19. Gutta Percha a natural biopolymer: Isolation, classifications, and property analysis  20. Isolation and classifications of Shellac 21. Silk based natural biomaterials: Extraction and characterization 22. Wool a natural biopolymer: Extraction and structure property relationships 23. Extraction and properties of casein biopolymer from milk 24. Synthesis and characterization of Albumin incorporated with nanomaterials 25. Synthesis and characterization of collagen 26. Extraction of hemicellulose and characterizations 27. Bioconversion of waste to polyhydroxyalkanoates - a circular bioeconomy approach 28. Different sources, extraction, and characterization of zein 29. Isolation and characterization of soya protein 30. Extraction and physicochemical characterization of gum 31. Effect of fillers and filler-host interactions on the properties of natural polymer-based composites 32. Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity studies of natural biopolymers 33. Biodegradability, life cycle analysis, recycling of natural biopolymers