4.6 Article

A Review on Biological Synthesis of the Biodegradable Polymers Polyhydroxyalkanoates and the Development of Multiple Applications

期刊

CATALYSTS
卷 12, 期 3, 页码 -

出版社

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/catal12030319

关键词

biodegradable polymers; food-packaging; biodegradation; recycling; bioeconomy; circular economy; sustainability

资金

  1. Environmental Protection Agency [2019-RE-LS-4]
  2. Science Foundation Ireland (BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI research centre) [16/RC/3889]
  3. European Union's Horizon 2020 research innovation program [870292, 870294]
  4. Environmental Protection Agency Ireland (EPA) [2019-RE-LS-4] Funding Source: Environmental Protection Agency Ireland (EPA)

向作者/读者索取更多资源

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolyesters that can be accumulated by microorganisms using waste or low-value carbon-containing substrates. They have diverse properties and functionalities, making them suitable for various applications. Continuous technological and material science developments are needed to expand PHA production and market opportunities. Establishing end-of-life management infrastructure is crucial for maximizing the benefits of PHA and other biobased biodegradable polymers. PHAs have the potential to be key polymers in the future materials sector.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates, or PHAs, belong to a class of biopolyesters where the biodegradable PHA polymer is accumulated by microorganisms as intracellular granules known as carbonosomes. Microorganisms can accumulate PHA using a wide variety of substrates under specific inorganic nutrient limiting conditions, with many of the carbon-containing substrates coming from waste or low-value sources. PHAs are universally thermoplastic, with PHB and PHB copolymers having similar characteristics to conventional fossil-based polymers such as polypropylene. PHA properties are dependent on the composition of its monomers, meaning PHAs can have a diverse range of properties and, thus, functionalities within this biopolyester family. This diversity in functionality results in a wide array of applications in sectors such as food-packaging and biomedical industries. In order for PHAs to compete with the conventional plastic industry in terms of applications and economics, the scale of PHA production needs to grow from its current low base. Similar to all new polymers, PHAs need continuous technological developments in their production and material science developments to grow their market opportunities. The setup of end-of-life management (biodegradability, recyclability) system infrastructure is also critical to ensure that PHA and other biobased biodegradable polymers can be marketed with maximum benefits to society. The biobased nature and the biodegradability of PHAs mean they can be a key polymer in the materials sector of the future. The worldwide scale of plastic waste pollution demands a reformation of the current polymer industry, or humankind will face the consequences of having plastic in every step of the food chain and beyond. This review will discuss the aforementioned points in more detail, hoping to provide information that sheds light on how PHAs can be polymers of the future.

作者

我是这篇论文的作者
点击您的名字以认领此论文并将其添加到您的个人资料中。

评论

主要评分

4.6
评分不足

次要评分

新颖性
-
重要性
-
科学严谨性
-
评价这篇论文

推荐

暂无数据
暂无数据