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Plastics Completely Synthesized by Bacteria: Polyhydroxyalkanoates

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Book cover Plastics from Bacteria

Part of the book series: Microbiology Monographs ((MICROMONO,volume 14))

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) produced by many bacteria have been investigated by microbiologists, molecular biologists, biochemists, chemical engineers, chemists, polymer experts, and medical researchers over the past many years. Applications of PHA as bioplastics, fine chemicals, implant biomaterials, medicines, and biofuels have been developed. Companies have been established or involved in PHA-related R&D as well as large-scale production. PHA synthesis has been found to improve the robustness of non-PHA-producing microorganisms and to regulate bacterial metabolism, leading to yield improvement for some bacterial fermentation products. In addition, amphiphilic proteins related to PHA synthesis including PhaP, PhaZ, and PhaC have been found to be useful for achieving protein purification and even specific drug targeting. It has become clear that PHA and its related technologies are forming an industrial value chain ranging from fermentation, materials, and energy to medical fields.

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  1. Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Guo-Qiang Chen

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  1. Dept. Biological Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China, People's Republic

    George Guo-Qiang Chen

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Chen, GQ. (2010). Plastics Completely Synthesized by Bacteria: Polyhydroxyalkanoates. In: Chen, GQ. (eds) Plastics from Bacteria. Microbiology Monographs, vol 14. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03287-5_2

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