Polymers Directly Produced by Genetically Modified Organisms

2 Polymers Directly Produced by Genetically Modified Organisms 

PHBV polymers seem to be ideal candidate for substitution of non-biodegradable pol5miers since their biodegradability 

Nowadays, despite the fact that more than 90 constituents of biosynthesis PHA have been revealed, its commercial application is still limited. There are not sufficient PHA types available that could make it possible to evaluate the physical, chemical, and biological material properties of these polymers. If this branch is to be developed significantly, the help of microbiologists will be needed [47], 

Poly(lactide) (PLA) is a thermoplastic, biocompatible and capable of biological and hydrolitical degradation polymer. A few years ago, production of PLA was very expensive and only recently, after the costs of its production came down, it has become widely applicable in many aspects of everyday life. As a result, PLA is the most technically advanced, biodegradable polymer. On an industrial scale, it is produced from lactic acid that is obtained in process of glucose fermentation [48]. 

PLA is cyclic dimer of lactic acid with melting temperature between 130 and 230°C. Side -CH3 groups in polymer chain implicate its high hydrol5ftic resistance at normal temperature (Fig. 21.28) [44]. 

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