[Use of irradiation technique for obtaining and modifying biopolymers. Review]

A review of papers concerning application of radiation techniques to the biopolymers production is presented. The nature of electron and gamma irradiation influence on polymers is outlined. Advantages of the method from the point of view of biocompatibility and bio-functionality of biopolymers are underlined. Among them the most important are the following: chemical purity of products, high efficiency of the method, expanded influence on polymers' structure, usefulness in the graft copolymerization, ability of avoiding enhanced temperature during polymerisation and sterility of products. Examples of biopolymers obtained or modified by means of irradiation techniques are gathered.