Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Bio-based microbial plastics and their properties

摘要: Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have attracted research and commercial interests worldwide because they can be used as biodegradable thermoplastics also produced from renewable resources. In order to compete commercially commodity plastics, PHAs must fulfill certain standards such comparable performance of with synthetic plastics affordable cost production. Several types been identified possess value, i.e., poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] that blended starch make the latter partially degradable; poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate [P(3HB-co-3HV)] its hardness excellent processability; poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB-co-4HB)] superior mechanical properties bioabsorbability; poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] exhibits close resemblance polypropylene (PP) low-density polyethylene (LDPE). All these attractive palm oil main carbon source in microbial fermentation processes. Our studies show various products including glycerol are feasible for efficient synthesis PHA homopolymers copolymers at high yield controlled quality. This paper will present an overview on development some their potential production resources products.