Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) have been developed as bioplastics for the past many years. Commercial PHA are normally poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), copolyesters of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHHx), copolyesters of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB4HB), as well as copolyesters of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV). Recently, it becomes possible to produce a series of novel PHA including homopolymers, random copolymers and block copolymers. For example, poly-3-hydroxypropionate (P3HP), poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), poly-3-hydroxydecanoate (P3HD) and poly-3-hydroxydodecanoate (P3HDD) et al. Random copolymers containing defined monomer compositions can also be microbially produced. More importantly, block copolymerization containing various block such as diblock copolymers of PHB-b-P4HB, PHB-b-PHHHx, P3HP-b-P4HB, PHBHHx-b-PHDD et al have been produced. They remarkably increased the diversity of PHA structures and properties. By manipulating the block compositions, the polymer properties can be easily controlled. Now, PHA industry will be entering a functional polymer era, which allows PHA competitiveness not by the low cost but by its functionality. We will soon experience ultra-strong, shape memory, gas selective permeability and other environmentally responsive PHA.

Designing microorganisms for production of diverse biopolymers

248th National Meeting (2014)

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