Polyhydroxyalkanoates

Structure of poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), a **polyhydroxyalkanoate**

Chemical structures of P3HB, PHV and their copolymer PHBV

Polyhydroxyalkanoates or PHAs are polyesters produced in nature by numerous microorganisms, including through bacterial fermentation of sugars or lipids.^[1] When produced by bacteria they serve as both a source of energy and as a carbon store. More than 150 different monomers can be combined within this family to give materials with extremely different properties.^[2] These plastics are biodegradable and are used in the production of bioplastics.^[3]

They can be either thermoplastic or elastomeric materials,^{[citation needed]} with melting points ranging from 40 to 180 °C.^{[citation needed]}

The mechanical properties and biocompatibility of PHA can also be changed by blending, modifying the surface or combining PHA with other polymers, enzymes and inorganic materials, making it possible for a wider range of applications.^[4]

^ Lu, Jingnan; Tappel, Ryan C.; Nomura, Christopher T. (2009-08-05). "Mini-Review: Biosynthesis of Poly(hydroxyalkanoates)". Polymer Reviews. 49 (3): 226–248. doi:10.1080/15583720903048243. ISSN 1558-3724. S2CID 96937618.
^ Doi, Yoshiharu; Steinbuchel, Alexander (2002). Biopolymers. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH. ISBN 978-3-527-30225-3.^{[page needed]}
^ Bhubalan, Kesaven; Lee, Wing-Hin; Sudesh, Kumar (2011-05-03), Domb, Abraham J.; Kumar, Neeraj; Ezra, Aviva (eds.), "Polyhydroxyalkanoate", Biodegradable Polymers in Clinical Use and Clinical Development, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., pp. 247–315, doi:10.1002/9781118015810.ch8, ISBN 978-1-118-01581-0
^ Michael, Anne John (September 12, 2004). "Polyhydroxyalkanoates for tissue engineering". Archived from the original on January 28, 2007.

[1] Lu, Jingnan; Tappel, Ryan C.; Nomura, Christopher T. (2009-08-05). "Mini-Review: Biosynthesis of Poly(hydroxyalkanoates)". Polymer Reviews. 49 (3): 226–248. doi:10.1080/15583720903048243. ISSN 1558-3724. S2CID 96937618.

[doi-2002-2] Doi, Yoshiharu; Steinbuchel, Alexander (2002). Biopolymers. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH. ISBN 978-3-527-30225-3.^{[page needed]}

[3] Bhubalan, Kesaven; Lee, Wing-Hin; Sudesh, Kumar (2011-05-03), Domb, Abraham J.; Kumar, Neeraj; Ezra, Aviva (eds.), "Polyhydroxyalkanoate", Biodegradable Polymers in Clinical Use and Clinical Development, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., pp. 247–315, doi:10.1002/9781118015810.ch8, ISBN 978-1-118-01581-0

[4] Michael, Anne John (September 12, 2004). "Polyhydroxyalkanoates for tissue engineering". Archived from the original on January 28, 2007.

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