Copolymers, polyesters synthesis procedures

Yet another synthetic approach to PHAs is in vitro synthesis by an isolated PHA synthases.The advantages of this process include the ability to obtain polyesters in water at room temperature with a much easier purification procedure and free of biologically related impurities, which is of interest for biomedical applications. There is also a fundamental interest in this synthetic approach which allows mechanistic studies. Moreover, the possibility of synthesizing block copolymers is opened by this in vitro synthetic route. However, some recent studies have proven the possibility of also obtaining block copolymers in a living systems. In this synthesis procedure, for one-enzyme systems, the substrates are coenzyme A thioesters of hydroxy fatty acids, the prices of which greatly limits further development of this process. The transfer to the more readily available substrates requires the addition of other enzymes, adding further demands and complexity to this approach to PHA production. ... 

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