Polyhydroxyalkanoates plastics

Volova, T. Properties in polyhydroxyalkanoates-plastic materials of the 21st century production, properties, applications, pp. 79-95. Nova Science Publishers, New York (2004)... 

Polyester is a general term referring to any polymer where the monomers are linked by ester bonds and includes the biodegradable microbially derived polyhydroxyalkanoates, which, as they are naturally produced, are beyond the scope of this article (for a review see Kim Rhee, 2003). Most synthetic polyesters in large-scale use are the aromatic poly(ethylene tetraphthalate) or poly(butylene tetraphthalate) polyesters as they have excellent material properties and are used in a wide range of applications including plastic containers, fibres for synthetic fabrics, films... 

These environmentally degradable polyolefins, because of their cost/ performance profiles are very competitive for the growing markets for such plastics. They will be strong competition for the polyester types such as poly(lactic acid) and polyhydroxyalkanoates so frequently publicized as the innovative solution to plastic waste management. 

Within this context, the search for a material that is durable while in use and degradable after its disposal has led to the emergence of biodegradable plastic— materials that decompose into carbon dioxide and water as the final result of the action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi [5]. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) constitute examples of such materials. 

The language used to describe these new (or sometimes old ) materials can be confusing, and too often is misused. One particularly problematic term is bioplastics. One common definition for bioplastics is plastics that are either biodegradable or made from renewable sources a clear recipe for confusion. We will not use this term. Rather, we will use the term biobased plastics to refer to plastics made from biological sources (typically plants). The plastics may be made directly by biological organisms (e.g., polyhydroxyalkanoates) or by chemical polymerization of monomers made from such sources (e.g., polylactide). Plastics may also be partially biobased (such as the CocaCola PlantBottle made from PET that is partially biobased). 

Abstract Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a plastic-like material synthesized by many bacteria. PHA serves as an energy and carbon storage componnd for the bacteria. PHA can be extracted and purified from the bacterial cells and the resulting product resembles some commodity plastics such as polypropylene. Because PHA is a microbial product, there are natural enzymes that can degrade and decompose PHA. Therefore, PHA is an attractive material that can be developed as a bio-based and biodegradable plastic. In addition, PHA is also known to be biocompatible and can be used in medical devices and also as bioresorbable tissue engineering scaffolds. In this chapter, a brief introduction about PHA and the fermentation feedstock for its production are given. 

Keywords Bio-based Biodegradable Microorganism Palm oil PHA Plastics Polyhydroxyalkanoate Polymer... 

K. Sudesh, Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Palm Oil Biodegradable Plastics, SpringerBriefs in Microbiology, DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-33539-6 2,... 

Abstract Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is an attractive material because it can be produced from renewable resources and because of its plastic-like properties. In addition, PHA can be degraded by the action of microbial enzymes. Although PHA resanbles some commodity plastics, the performance and cost of PHA are not yet good enough for widespread applications as plastic materials. Therefore, the PHA commercialization attempts by many industries for bulk applications have been challenging. However, PHA also possesses interesting properties that can be developed for non-plastic applications. This chapter describes some new niche applications for PHA in cosmetics and wastewater treatment. 

Abstract Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) initially received serious attention as a possible substitute for petrochemical-based plastics because of the anticipated shortage in the supply of petroleum. Since then, PHA has remained as an interesting material to both the academia and indusby. Now, we know more about this microbial storage polyester and have developed efficient fermentation systems for the large-scale production of PHA. Besides sugars, plant oils will become one of the important feedstock for the industrial-scale production of PHA. In addition, PHA will find new apphcations in various areas. This chapter summarizes the future prospects and the importance of developing a sustainable production system for PHA. 

Sudesh K, DoiY (2005) Polyhydroxyalkanoates. Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers Sudesh K, Iwata T (2008) Sustainabdity of biobased and biodegradable plastics.Qean... 

S. CastroSowinski, S. Burdman, O. Matan, Y. Okon, Natural functions of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates, in G.-Q. Chen (Ed.), Plastics from Bacteria Natural Functions and r Ucations, Microbiology Mono-gr hs, 14, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2010, pp. 39-61. 

Byrom, D. Polyhydroxyalkanoates. In Mobley, D.P.(ed.) Plastic from Microbes Microbial Synthesis of Polymers and Polymer precursors, pp. 5-33. Hanser Munich (1994)... 

Chen, G. Plastics completely synthesized by bacteria polyhydroxyalkanoates. Microbiol. Monogr. 14, 17-37 (2010)... 

Poirier, Y., Nawrath, C., Somerville, C. Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates, a family of biodegradable plastics and elastomers in bacterial and plant. Biotechnol 13, 142-150 (1995)... 

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