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Related Concept Videos

Bioplastics01:27

Bioplastics

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Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
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Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

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The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...
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Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

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Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
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Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer widely utilized in the packaging industry, particularly for bottles and containers. Due to its chemical stability and durability, PET accumulates in the environment, contributing significantly to plastic pollution. It comprises repeating units of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, resulting in a semi-crystalline structure that is resistant to natural degradation processes.A notable breakthrough in plastic biodegradation came with the...
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Production of Organic Acids01:25

Production of Organic Acids

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Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

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Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
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Challenges and Opportunities for Customizing Polyhydroxyalkanoates.

Mamtesh Singh1, Prasun Kumar2, Subhasree Ray2

  • 1Department of Zoology, Gargi College, University of Delhi, Siri Fort Road, Delhi, 110049 India.

Indian Journal of Microbiology
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) offer biodegradable plastic alternatives but face challenges. Enhancing their properties through varied feedstocks and genetic modifications can improve their commercial viability.

Keywords:
BioplasticCo-polymersPHA synthasesStrategiesThermo-mechanical properties

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials science
  • Polymer chemistry
  • Environmental science

Background:

  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polymers gaining attention as sustainable alternatives to synthetic plastics.
  • Despite their eco-friendly nature, PHAs remain in early development stages due to high production costs and suboptimal properties of common types like polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the limitations hindering the widespread adoption of PHAs.
  • To explore methods for improving the thermal and mechanical properties of PHAs.

Main Methods:

  • Investigating the impact of monomer composition and molecular weight on PHA properties.
  • Examining modifications in substrates, feeding strategies, culture conditions, and genetic engineering.

Main Results:

  • Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) exhibits brittleness and poor elasticity, limiting its processability into durable products.
  • Physicochemical properties of PHAs are comparable to petroleum-based plastics, indicating potential for improvement.

Conclusions:

  • Varying monomer composition and molecular weight are key to enhancing PHA properties like melting point, glass transition temperature, and mechanical strength.
  • Optimizing production through substrate choice, feeding strategies, culture conditions, and genetic manipulation can overcome current limitations.