PHA Production by Plants

PHA production in plants, particularly by agricultural crops, is viewed as a promising approach that can reduce costs compared to bacterial fermentation [2]. Synthesis of PHA in crops also fits into a larger concept of using plants as reactors for the renewable and sustainable synthesis of carbon building blocks that are currently almost exclusively provided by the petrochemical industry. If PHA production in plants is indeed achieved, it will be a very successful example of CO2 reduction or industrial green products. 

The success of using transgenic plants as a source of novel material will not only depend on the production levels in plants achieved, but also on whether the polymers can be extracted efficiently, economically and using environmentally friendly methods. Although a number of strategies have been described in the literature for the extraction of PHA, some relying on solvents while others not, further work is required to validate these extraction procedures in the context of large-scale production in crop plants [17]. 

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Despite some successes in PHA production by plants, Drs. Yves Poirier and Stevens Brumbley believe production of PHA in crops and plants remains a challenging project. The challenges for the future are to succeed in the synthesis of PHA co-polymer with a narrow range of monomer composition, at levels that do not compromise plant productivity, and to find methods for efficient and economical extraction of polymers from plants. These goals will undonbtedly require a deeper understanding of plant biochemical pathways and advances in biorefinery. 

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