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In vitro enzymic synthesis of polymers containing saccharides, lignins, proteins or related compounds: a review
Author(s) -
Donnelly Michael J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0126(199811)47:3<257::aid-pi8>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - polymer , biodegradation , chemistry , organic chemistry , enzyme , chemical modification , compatibility (geochemistry) , materials science , combinatorial chemistry , biochemistry , composite material
The in vitro use of enzymes for polymer synthesis is considered as a means of attempting to emulate and extend the range of polymers found in nature which are readily biodegradable and have superb control over structure and properties. The issues raised in the use of non‐conventional reaction environments are discussed. These include (i) the environmental compatibility of the synthesised polymer, the (often modified) enzyme, and the other components of the system such as organic solvents and additives, (ii) the factors which need to be considered in order to control the enzyme specificity and stability, and (iii) tests and their validity for assessing the biodegradability of all of the materials in the system. Examples of a wide range of synthesised polymers are provided. These include those from smaller units composed of various saccharides, lignins and proteins and related compounds. In addition, examples of enzymic modification of the architecture of existing polymers composed of these substances are given. Finally, cases are described where saccharides, lignins and protein‐based substances are incorporated into other polymeric materials, either as grafts or by inclusion in the main chain, using either enzymic or chemicoenzymic procedures. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry