Start a Research on Biopolymer Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA): A Review

Polymers

Giin-Yu Amy Tan²  Chia-Lung Chen²  Ling Li²  Liya Ge²  Lin Wang²  Indah Mutiara Ningtyas Razaad²  Yanhong Li¹  Lei Zhao²  Yu Mo² 

[1] Division of Environmental and Water Resources, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore; E-Mail:;Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, 637141, Singapore; E-Mails:

关键词: polyhydroxyalkanoate;    PHA;    biopolymer;    bacteria;    archaea;    pathway;    PHA detection;    PHA extraction;    PHA characterization;   

DOI  :  10.3390/polym6030706

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

With the impending fossil fuel crisis, the search for and development of alternative chemical/material substitutes is pivotal in reducing mankind’s dependency on fossil resources. One of the potential substitute candidates is polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). PHA is a carbon-neutral and valuable polymer that could be produced from many renewable carbon sources by microorganisms, making it a sustainable and environmental-friendly material. At present, PHA is not cost competitive compared to fossil-derived products. Encouraging and intensifying research work on PHA is anticipated to enhance its economic viability in the future. The development of various biomolecular and chemical techniques for PHA analysis has led to the identification of many PHA-producing microbial strains, some of which are deposited in culture collections. Research work on PHA could be rapidly initiated with these ready-to-use techniques and microbial strains. This review aims to facilitate the start-up of PHA research by providing a summary of commercially available PHA-accumulating microbial cultures, PHA biosynthetic pathways, and methods for PHA detection, extraction and analysis.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.