Page 8 - Biodegradable Polyesters

VI Contents

2.3 Conclusions 41
References 41

3 Microbial Synthesis of Biodegradable Polyesters: Processes, Products,
Applications 47
Bernd H.A. Rehm
3.1 Introduction 47
3.2 Biogenesis of Microbial Polyhydroxyalkanoate Granules 48
3.3 The Diversity of Biopolyesters 49
3.4 Polyester (PHA) Synthases are the Key Enzymes 51
3.5 Catalytic Reaction Mechanism 52
3.6 PHA Inclusions: Self-Assembly and Structure 53
3.7 Industrial Production of Bacterial Polyhydroxyalkanoates:
PHAs via Fermentation 56
3.8 Application Opportunities of Bacterial
Polyhydroxyalkanoates 58
3.8.1 In Energy Industry: Biofuels Based on PHAs 58
3.8.2 In Material Industry: PHAs as Polymeric Materials 59
3.8.2.1 PHAs as Biodegradable Plastics and Fiber Materials 59
3.8.2.2 PHAs as Medical Implant Materials 59
3.8.2.3 PHAs as Drug Delivery Carrier 60
3.8.3 Fine Chemical Industry: PHA Chiral Monomers 60
3.8.4 Application of PHA Granule Surface Proteins 61
3.8.5 Production of Tailor-Made Biopolyester Nanoparticles and
Potential Applications 61
3.8.6 Future Development of PHA-Based Industry 62
3.8.6.1 The Development of Low-Cost PHA Production
Technology 62
3.8.6.2 Unusual PHAs with Special Properties 63
3.8.6.3 High Value Added Applications 64
3.8.6.4 Other Future Applications 64
3.8.6.5 Microbial Synthesis of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) 64
3.8.7 Applications of PHA Inclusions as Functionalized
Biobeads 65
3.8.7.1 Bioseparations 65
3.8.7.2 Drug Delivery 65
3.8.7.3 Protein Purification 65
3.8.7.4 Enzyme Immobilization 66
3.8.7.5 Diagnostics and Imaging 66
3.8.7.6 Vaccine Delivery 66
3.9 Conclusions and Outlook 67
Acknowledgments 67
References 67