Microbial Polyesters

This is the first book to present a topical overview of the research and development of microbial polyesters.

Comprehensive and amply illustrated, it covers the
* biosynthesis
* structure
* properties
* applications
of these biodegradable and biocompatible thermoplastics.

The book provides the reader with the necessary background to understand the nature and mechanism of biological polymerization. It unites aspects from both the biological and polymer sciences and is a typical modern example of the analysis of biological macromolecules.1. Durch Mikroben erzeugte Polyalkanoate (Polyester) sind biologisch abbaubar und bio-kompatibel. Sie werden von Mikroorganismen durch die unterschiedlichsten Kohlenstoffquellen synthetisiert.
2. Dieses Buch vermittelt dem Leser das notige Rustzeug fur das Verstandnis der Biochemie und mikrobieller Polyester und beschreibt ausfuhrlich Prinzipien und Anwendungen von Bio- Kunststoffen.
3. Bakteriell hergestellte Bio-Kunststoffe sind gegenwartig Gegenstand intensiver Forschung an Universitaten und in der Industrie, wobei Biologen, Polymerwissenschaftler und Biotechnologen beteiligt sind Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Microbial Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

1.2 Microbial Poly(hydroxyalkanoates)

1.3 Environmentally Degradable Polyesters

References

Chapter 2 Fermentation and Analysis of Microbial Polyesters

2.1 Fermentation Production

2.1.1 Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

2.1.2 Poly(hydroxyalkanoates)

2.2 Polymer Isolation

2.2.1 Solvent Extraction

2.2.2 Alkaline Hypochlorite Treatment

2.2.3 Enzyme Treatment

2.3 Analysis

2.3.1 Polyester Content of Cells

2.3.2 Composition of Copolymers

2.3.3 Molecular Weight

References

Chapter 3 Microorganisms and Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates)

3.1 Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) in Microorganisms

3.1.1 Functions of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

3.1.2 Structure of Native P(3HB) Granules

3.2 Biosynthesis of Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates)

3.2.1 Alcaligenes eutrophus

3.2.2 Pseudomonas oleovorans

3.2.3 Other Bacterial Strains

3.3 Molecular Structures of Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates)

3.3.1 Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyalerate)

3.3.2 Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates-co-3-hydroxy--chloroalkanoates)

References

Chapter 4 Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) Metabolism

4.1 Pathways of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Synthesis

4.2 Pathways of Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) Synthesis

4.3 Enzymology of Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) Synthesis

4.3.1 3-Ketothiolase

4.3.2 Acetoacetyl-CoA Reductase

4.3.3 P(3HB) Synthase

4.4 Pathways of P(3-hydroxybutyrate) Degradation

4.5 Cyclic Nature of Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) Metabolism

4.5.1 Replacement of P(3HB) by P(3HB-co-3HV)

4.5.2 Replacement of P(3HB-co-3HV) by P(3HB)

4.5.3 Application to PHA Fermentation

References

Chapter 5 Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)

5.1 Alcaligenes eutrophus and Carbon Substrates

5.2 Molecular Structure

5.3 Biosynthetic Pathway

References

Chapter 6 Structure and Properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

6.1 Crystal Structure and Properties

6.1.1 Crystal Structure

6.1.2 Solid-State Properties

6.2 Solution Properties

References

Chapter 7 Solid-State Properties of Copolyesters

7.1 Composition and Physical Properties

7.1.1 X-Ray Diffraction Analysis

7.1.2 Solid-State CP/MAS 13C-NMR Analysis

7.1.3 Mechanical Properties

7.2 Thermal Properties

7.2.1 Melting Temperatures

7.2.2 Glass-Transition Temperatures

7.2.3 Thermal Stability

7.3 Kinetics of Crystallization

References

Chapter 8 Biodegradation of Microbial Polyesters

8.1 Extracellular P(3HB) Depolymerase

8.1.1 Pseudomonas lemoignei

8.1.2 Alcaligenes faecalis

8.2 Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Copolyesters

8.3 Simple Hydrolysis of Polyesters

8.4 Applications and Prospects

8.4.1 Environmentally Degradable Plastics

8.4.2 Medical Applications

References

Index

Yoshiharu Doi is the author of Microbial Polyesters, published by Wiley. Microbial Polyesters provides the reader with the necessary background for understanding the nature and mechanism of biological polymerization. It describes detailed aspects of the biosynthesis, properties and applications of microbial polyesters, thermoplastics with biodegradable and biocompatible properties. This book will be of special interest to researchers and graduate students working in microbiology, biotechnology and polymer science and technology. Contents: Introduction; Fermentation and Analysis of Microbial Polyesters; Microorganisms and Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates); Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) Metabolism; Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate); Structure and Properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate); Solid State Properties of Copolyesters; Biodegradation of Microbial Polyesters.