Packaging Applications of Polyhydroxyalkanoates

The ninth chapter is on the packaging applications of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). The authors discuss many topics such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, fundamental bioprocess steps for obtaining PHAs, degradation PHA uses in food packaging, methods for obtaining plastic products and examples of applications of bioplastics in food packaging etc. 

Polyhydroxyalkanoates are thought to have an interesting future as sustainable polyesters. For medical applications their price is acceptable, but for broader use for example as packaging materials their high price is still the main hinderness for the application of such materials. 

Several excellent reviews have appeared, dealing with various aspects of the preparation, production, and properties of polyhydroxyalkanoates [1-5]. In the present review, the potential of PHAs will be discussed for high volume application, packaging being the main target. The drawbacks will be shown and possible ways of remediation will be outlined. A major part of the review is devoted to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), which is the simplest species in PHA homologous series. 

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) is a family of structurally diverse biopolyesters accumulated by many bacteria as carbon and energy source (Figure 16.1)d PHA have been exploited with a series of applications including environmentally friendly biodegradable plastics for packaging purposes, biofuels, medical implants, and recently, smart materials. PHA monomers are also produced as chiral intermediates for medical or fine chemical applications. ... 

Category 3 Polymers, which are produced by microoiganisms or genetically modified bacteria. Till date, this group of bio-based polymers consists mainly of the polyhydroxyalkanoates but developments with bacterial cellulose and other polysaccharides are also in progress. Figure 2 represents the various sources of currently used biopolymers sources which find profound application in food industry mainly in packaging. 

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