This article aims to review the present scenario of protein based natural polymer development, which has the ability to stand against synthetic polymer. Demand of natural polymers would increase in future considering their environmental safety aspect. Protein characteristics and their suitability for polymer development are discussed here, along with the polymer reinforcement techniques such as development of blends, chemical block copolymerization, and modification of existing protein material, which are used for the development of biopolymer from protein. The application of protein based polymer product range varies from food and nonfood packaging stuffs to healthcare sectors. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:485–498, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

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The ultimate characteristics of blend film depend on the properties of its polymeric components, composition, and on the compatibility of the polymers. Binary polymer blend films of alginate (ALG) and keratin (KER) fibers (obtained from chicken feathers) were prepared by simple solution casting techniques and their compatibility properties were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The tensile strength and percent of elongation were measured by a tensile strength tester. The results of the present studies elucidate that ALG and KER are compatible and suitable for the development of a blend film. It was found that the ALG/KER blend ratios of 90:10 and 80:20 possess characteristics to make a blend film with a high tensile strength value. The blend with composition 90:10 of ALG/KER is the one of the strongest candidates in the preparation of blending films, because it has the highest tensile strength (0.38 MPa) and percentage of elongation (59.5%) among all tested blend compositions. The blend ratio of 80:20 of ALG/KER achieves maximum compatibility, since its intensity pattern changes drastically as recorded in an X-ray diffraction study. The fabricated blend film can be a suitable candidate for a range of biomaterials such as for a drug delivery vesicle, hydrogel, and scaffolding, etc.

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Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub belonging to the family is Fabaceae is widely found in India and other countries of Asia. The use of this herbal plant has been reported in conventional medicines for centuries. The crude extracts of varied parts of Butea monosperma consists of large number of phytochemicals such as lactones, flavonoids, alkaloids and many more which encompasses immense potential of medicinal properties including antibacterial, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory activities etc. Butea monosperma also comprises properties such as aphrodisiac, diuretics, astringent, tonic etc. The ubiquitous utilization of this herbal plant have resulted in their wide chemical exploration for their bioactive principles which may lead to the development of significant novel drugs in treating various ailments in future. This review will confer about the taxonomy, botanical description, traditional uses, significant medicinal activity and future prospective of Butea monosperma.