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

Giin-Yu Amy Tan; Chia-Lung Chen; Ling Li; Liya Ge; Lin Wang; Indah Mutiara Ningtyas Razaad; Yanhong Li; Lei Zhao; Yu Mo; Jing-Yuan Wang

doi:10.3390/polym6030706

Polymers (Mar 2014)

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

Giin-Yu Amy Tan,
Chia-Lung Chen,
Ling Li,
Liya Ge,
Lin Wang,
Indah Mutiara Ningtyas Razaad,
Yanhong Li,
Lei Zhao,
Yu Mo,
Jing-Yuan Wang

Affiliations

Giin-Yu Amy Tan: Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, 637141, Singapore
Chia-Lung Chen: Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, 637141, Singapore
Ling Li: Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, 637141, Singapore
Liya Ge: Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, 637141, Singapore
Lin Wang: Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, 637141, Singapore
Indah Mutiara Ningtyas Razaad: Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, 637141, Singapore
Yanhong Li: Division of Environmental and Water Resources, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
Lei Zhao: Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, 637141, Singapore
Yu Mo: Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, 637141, Singapore
Jing-Yuan Wang: Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, 637141, Singapore

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym6030706
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6, no. 3
pp. 706 – 754

Abstract

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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.

Published in Polymers

ISSN: 2073-4360 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers/

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