Glucomannan based polyurethanes: A critical short review of recent advances and future perspectives

• Polysaccharides, among other natural polymers are extensively used as biomaterials.
• Glucomannan, a bioactive polymer belonged to mannan family of polysaccharides.
• Polyurethanes attracting a large number of industrial sectors due to biocompatible, biodegradable, tailor made properties.
• Glucomannan and its derivatives with other materials are used in biomedical areas.
• Review shed a light on glucomannan based PUs with their potential applications.

Polysaccharides derived from plants are one of the largest groups of natural compounds that offer potentially beneficial functions and properties. Glucomannan, a bioactive polymer belonged to mannan family of polysaccharides is fairly abundant in nature along with superior gelling and film forming properties. Glucomannan and its derivative with several synthetic polymers are used in a biomedical and food sector especially. Polyurethanes (PUs), a commercially useful class of polymers are extensively used in both industry and everyday life because they retain exceptional properties of both plastics and elastomers. This review addresses the properties and applications of glucomannan based materials with the aim to be explored this less attempted polymer further. Furthermore this paper also presents an overview of current status and perspectives of glucomannan based polyurethane materials.