Polyhydroxyalkanoates: naturally occurring microbial polymers suitable for nanotechnology applications

摘要: Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are intracellular microbial polyesters synthesized by many species of Bacteria and Archaea, generally under nutrient limitation excess carbon source as storage granules energy also conferring stress resistance to prokaryotes. PHAs naturally occurring, the choice strains sources for cell cultivations results in biopolymers with different physicochemical properties. Cupriavidus necator is a bacterial strain able synthesize high crystalline polymer, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), most common all PHAs; whereas Pseudomonas produce medium chain-length monomers, which exhibit elastomeric properties natural rubbers. This variety monomer composition associated biocompatibility biodegradability makes feasible compostable applications meet standard specification marine degradability. Due their versatility chemicals ecologically friendly properties, have drawn attention wide range from PHA nanocomposites become promising alternative petrochemical polymers nanoscale applications, especially those involved biomedical materials. review chapter introduces synthesis, polymer structure recent special focus on nanoscience applications. scaffolds tissue engineering, nanofibers particles catalyst immobilization drug delivery systems topics addressed this chapter. Finally, future prospects economical challenges be overcome industry discussed green chemistry background.