BIOPLASTICS: A step towards better sustainability
INTRODUCTION
Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch or microbiota. Bioplastics can be made from agricultural byproducts and also from used plastic bottles and other containers using microorganisms. They can be either be biobased, biodegradable or both. Reasons why we need to develop such technology are:
Polyhydroxy Butyrates (PHB)
PHBs are members from family of polyesters known as Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). These are accumulated in intracellular granules by gram positive and gram negative microorganisms. PHB are produced when there is excess carbon source with limitation of one of the essential nutrients. Its properties include:
Bacterias producing PHB
Ralstonia
Bacillus
Pseudomonas
Alcaligenes
Azotobacter
Methylobacterium
Chromatium
Producing PHB:
Polyhydroxy Butyrates (PHBs) are polymers that bacteria produce under conditions of low concentrations of important nutrients (typically nitrogen, but sometimes oxygen) and high concentrations of carbon sources. This process occurs because the excess carbon leads to bacteria creating carbon reserves (PHAs) to save for a time with more plentiful nutrients in which they need energy to carry out regular functions. Bacteria store PHBs in granules for later use. Many bacteria including those in the soil, are capable of PHB production and breakdown.
POTENTIALS:
Improving biodegradability for certain environments
Metallization could provide better barrier properties: addition of SiO2, carbon fiber, or other metals and increases thermal conductivity
Specialized enzymes can enhance production
Could be cost effective as petrochemicals increase in price
Renewable energy such as solar power, wind energy etc. can be used for powering the industry
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