PHB questions (1 Viewer)

[abdooooo!!!]

i) describe the industrial process of producing them.

ii) name the source of the raw materials used in the industrial process. hey any ideas? apart from the organism... whats the raw material? whats their food?

iii) account for the uses of the biopolymer in term of it's physical and chemical properties. at least 2 relationships in each.

thanks people.

 

[Ragerunner]

aren't you supposed to be at school?

 

[Xayma]

Maybe he has a free period or something I have sport off so Im here all afternoon.

 

[abdooooo!!!]

nah... i never go to school... waste of time there... anyways i need to get this done by tommorow or else i'll get zero LOL.

so help me!!!

 

[Ragerunner]

use the successone book

That one for PHB is pretty much correct as I recall.

 

[abdooooo!!!]

no... there is nothing on the questions that i've asked... i mean what the hell is the raw material???

 

[CHUDYMASTER]

PHB is produced when they restrict the nitrogen and other nutrients that the bacteria "Alcaligens Eutrophus" thrive on. When the bacteria strain finds that we are "stealing" their food, they store away their nutrients in the form of PHB, which we then steal off them

It's biodegradable due to its very loose molecular structure. Therefore, it is used in disposable items such as plastic bags and nappies.

I'm not sure about this point, but it would do you well to look into the molecular constitution of PHB and find out if it has a large side chain. A large side chain would make it more rigid...a smaller side chain (or none) would make it more flexible (hence you could link it to a flexible application)

Also, I think you need to discuss current research and I suggest you talk about how they are currently genetically modifying the E Coli. bacterial strain to produce PHB (apparently this is a more efficient way to produce it).

I think that answers most of your questions.

 

[CHUDYMASTER]

Actually...just to add, I've been going back into the past and found this thread where some of us posted some info on PHB (back in 2002...ahh the nostalgia!!)

http://www.boredofstudies.org/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2644&highlight=PHB

lol, it seems like I knew more then (I think...)
But check out that too.

 

[abdooooo!!!]

but i need to relate it to at least 2 properties... for each physical and chemical. you got any more info???

 

[CHUDYMASTER]

Hmm well I mentioned ONE property...i spose molecular structure is a physical property - which i linked to applications above. I also mentioned side chain, but you'll have to look up the constitutional formula of PHB for that.

 

[abdooooo!!!]

so you got nothing more?!?! ahhh... im so dead... there is nothing on the net man.

 

[xiao1985]

industrial process: firstly, the bacteria Alcaligenes Eutrophus are given enuf nutrient to grow and multiply... then, a certain nutrient (usually nitrogen) is restricted. the bacteria will then start to produce desired polymer, PHB (poly beta hydroxybutanoate) for food reservoir for later use... the bacteria is then harvstered for the desired biopolymer...

raw material: bateria , nutrient (nitrogen and someother stuff as well, lyk phosphorus)

chem/phys properties: uhm, abit dodgy one... it's chemical properties is similar to poly propylene, therefore, tis comparatively flexible, chemical resistant and do not dissovle in water (physical) and biodegradable (physial , well sorta)... hence tis used in disposable nappies plastic bags (prolly not entirely sure)...

 

[kimmeh]

didnt you do this last year abdooo ?

 

[abdooooo!!!]

but the lame question is not in the syllabus... how would i know if PHB has particular features... lol

hey thanks xiao... i think i got enough info to bullcrap it.

 

[Xayma]

If it isnt in the syllabus why are they asking it? Go yell and scream at them, then fill their letter boxes with expanding foam (you know the stuff that expands then dries hard)

 

[kimmeh]

i thought the syllabus this year and last year is unchanged .. wait.. edit: yeah it is in the syllabus .. its in the students columns (2.3.1)..your school has just "manipulated it" a bit

 

[CHUDYMASTER]

NO! PHB is certainly in the syllabus - not it specifically but any biopolymer (synthetic that is)

 

[xiao1985]

lolz, any bio polymer (preferably not cellulose) will do... but personally i prefer PHB... dunno y, i just remembered this one... before the hsc, i was so bored, dat i remember its chem structure for its monomer, also pet.... lolz,

oh yea, talkin abt which, pet is also talk-able... cuz its usage is widely commercialised already...

 

[CHUDYMASTER]

You're a weird one xiao...hehe, btw what course you doin at uni?

 

[xiao1985]

Originally posted by CHUDYMASTER
You're a weird one xiao...hehe, btw what course you doin at uni?

how am i wierd??? i am perfectly fine!!!

uhm well, ok, a lil wierd, but that's all!!! only a lil!!!


lolz, doin b sci(adv math) / b comm @ usyd... n lovin it before even startin it!!!! ^^