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Biosynthetic and biodegradable polyesters from renewable resources: Current state and prospects
Author(s) -
Steinbüchel Alexander,
Gorenflo Volker
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.19971230107
Subject(s) - polyester , renewable resource , carbon source , bacteria , organic chemistry , polyhydroxyalkanoates , chemistry , biochemical engineering , renewable energy , materials science , nanotechnology , biochemistry , biology , ecology , engineering , genetics
Bacterial poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s (PHA) are a complex class of polyesters, and almost one hundred different constituents are currently known. Unfortunately, most of these constituents only occur in the polyesters if specific precursor substrates are provided as carbon source. Recently, however, bacteria and mutants were isolated, which synthesize PHA exhibiting an interesting composition from simple unrelated substrates obtainable from renewable resources provided by the agriculture. This contribution will provide an example how PHA based on 4‐hydroxyvaleric acid can be obtained from bulk chemicals. In addition, some aspects of our current knowledge on the physiological and molecular basis of PHA biosynthesis will be provided.