Polyhydroxybutyrate

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has emerged as a promising player in the realm of drug delivery owing to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and tunable properties. As a naturally occurring polyester synthesized by various microorganisms, PHB possesses inherent advantages for pharmaceutical applications, particularly in the controlled release of therapeutics.

In drug delivery, PHB excels due to its ability to encapsulate a diverse range of drugs, protecting them from degradation and enabling targeted delivery to specific sites within the body. Its biocompatibility ensures minimal adverse effects upon administration, making it suitable for a wide array of medical applications.

The tunable properties of PHB further enhance its utility in drug delivery systems. By altering parameters such as molecular weight, crystallinity, and morphology, researchers can tailor PHB-based carriers to meet specific requirements, such as sustained release kinetics or stimuli-responsive behavior.

Moreover, the biodegradability of PHB ensures that drug carriers made from this polymer can be safely metabolized and eliminated from the body after fulfilling their therapeutic function, minimizing environmental impact and potential long-term complications.