Plastic and High Tensile Strength
* Biopol is a copolymer of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) to form PHBV.
PRODUCTION: * Enzyme used in synthesis is Ralstonia eutrohpus * Biopol is produced industrially, using the fermentation of sugar by R. eutrohpus that grow in tanks with a carbon-based food source and limited nutrients (P/NO3). It is then separated and purified. * Polymers made from plants have the same structure as those produced by bacteria; produced naturally by renewable agricultural resources
PROPERTIES: * Biodegradable and biocompatible * Non-toxic * Insoluble in water * Acid/base resistant and UV light resistant * High tensile strength and melting point * Permeable to oxygen (can decompose more speedily without oxygen)
USES: * Disposable products such as razors, rubbish bags, cutlery => biodegradable, therefore environmentally safe * Surgical applications, such as surgical pins/stiches => biodegradable/compatible, non-toxic and high tensile strength, therefore safe to use in the body * Replacement for petroleum-derived plastics => high tensile strength, insoluble in water, non-toxic and biodegradable
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTES: * Biopol is a biodegradable material, so it has a smaller impact on the environment than other polymers such as polyethylene (i.e. reduces rubbish levels in landfills) * Biocompatible material, which can be dissolved by enzymes in the body. This means that any surgical applications don’t have to be removed from the body * Renewable resource * Very expensive to manufacture; low demand therefore not economically viable
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: * Genetically engineering bacteria such as E.Coli, produces PHBV more beneficially (i.e. faster growth, better yields, easier recovery and less waste biomass) * By genetically engineering plants like cress and potatoes, biodegradable
PRODUCTION: * Enzyme used in synthesis is Ralstonia eutrohpus * Biopol is produced industrially, using the fermentation of sugar by R. eutrohpus that grow in tanks with a carbon-based food source and limited nutrients (P/NO3). It is then separated and purified. * Polymers made from plants have the same structure as those produced by bacteria; produced naturally by renewable agricultural resources
PROPERTIES: * Biodegradable and biocompatible * Non-toxic * Insoluble in water * Acid/base resistant and UV light resistant * High tensile strength and melting point * Permeable to oxygen (can decompose more speedily without oxygen)
USES: * Disposable products such as razors, rubbish bags, cutlery => biodegradable, therefore environmentally safe * Surgical applications, such as surgical pins/stiches => biodegradable/compatible, non-toxic and high tensile strength, therefore safe to use in the body * Replacement for petroleum-derived plastics => high tensile strength, insoluble in water, non-toxic and biodegradable
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTES: * Biopol is a biodegradable material, so it has a smaller impact on the environment than other polymers such as polyethylene (i.e. reduces rubbish levels in landfills) * Biocompatible material, which can be dissolved by enzymes in the body. This means that any surgical applications don’t have to be removed from the body * Renewable resource * Very expensive to manufacture; low demand therefore not economically viable
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: * Genetically engineering bacteria such as E.Coli, produces PHBV more beneficially (i.e. faster growth, better yields, easier recovery and less waste biomass) * By genetically engineering plants like cress and potatoes, biodegradable