Recently developed biopolymer (1 Viewer)

shumphrey

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here ya go, this includes all the info required based on syllabus and some extra (correct me if I'm wrong)--> hope it makes it easier for you

Biopolymer:
Polyhydroxylbutyrate (PHB) (note: write full name in exam to show markers what biopolymer)

organism used:
Alcaligenes Eutrophis

Process:
A microbe population is grown and fed on nitrogen and glucose--->Once the population reaches a sufficient size they are put under stress (by removing either nitrogen or glucose)--->his forces the microbes to stop multiplying and start to produce PHB as an alternative food source,
The PHB is then seperated from the microbes

Equations:

Glucose-->Acetyl-Coa-->Acetoactyl-CoA-->R-(-)3-hydroxylbutryl-CoA-->PHB (note: actual chemical process is much more complex, this is just an abbreviated version)

Properties and uses:
-flexible, clear, waterproof=good for packaging (note: resembles oil based plastics)
-renewable, biodegradable= also good for packaging (note: reduces environmental damage)
-relatively heat resistant=potential applications in clothing
-Biocompatible and non toxic=medical applications (note: occurs naturally in body and the body does not attempt to remove it and it doesn't damage cells)

Development and impact:
Cost of production is too high to be economically viable, It does however have the potential to replace conventional plastics IF the production process can be improved-->if this is possible then environmental damage will be significantly reduced.
Despite the cost of production it is incredibly impactful in the medical industry as its biocompatibility removes the need for follow up surgeries to remove sutures.

picture of monomer can be found easily on google images
 

eyeseeyou

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here ya go, this includes all the info required based on syllabus and some extra (correct me if I'm wrong)--> hope it makes it easier for you

Biopolymer:
Polyhydroxylbutyrate (PHB) (note: write full name in exam to show markers what biopolymer)

organism used:
Alcaligenes Eutrophis

Process:
A microbe population is grown and fed on nitrogen and glucose--->Once the population reaches a sufficient size they are put under stress (by removing either nitrogen or glucose)--->his forces the microbes to stop multiplying and start to produce PHB as an alternative food source,
The PHB is then seperated from the microbes

Equations:

Glucose-->Acetyl-Coa-->Acetoactyl-CoA-->R-(-)3-hydroxylbutryl-CoA-->PHB (note: actual chemical process is much more complex, this is just an abbreviated version)

Properties and uses:
-flexible, clear, waterproof=good for packaging (note: resembles oil based plastics)
-renewable, biodegradable= also good for packaging (note: reduces environmental damage)
-relatively heat resistant=potential applications in clothing
-Biocompatible and non toxic=medical applications (note: occurs naturally in body and the body does not attempt to remove it and it doesn't damage cells)

Development and impact:
Cost of production is too high to be economically viable, It does however have the potential to replace conventional plastics IF the production process can be improved-->if this is possible then environmental damage will be significantly reduced.
Despite the cost of production it is incredibly impactful in the medical industry as its biocompatibility removes the need for follow up surgeries to remove sutures.

picture of monomer can be found easily on google images
Cheers
 

SuperAltastic

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you should know the monomers which make the polymer as well, adds to your response showing the maker you know more.
 

lemnok

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Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) - trade name Biopol
- A bacterial plastic
- Originally made from the Alcaligenes eutrophus bacterium
- However, recent research as looked at making the plastic from GM E coli because E coli grows and replicates much quicker
- A. eutrophus is grown on a high nitrate and phosphate environment to stimulate growth at 30C
- The nutrients that the bacteria are given are then suddenly changed, causing them to produced BHP as an energy source
- After the bacteria grow and produced BHP, the bacteria and nutrient mixture is chemically treated and filtered to remove the BHP, which comes out as a fine white powder

Properties of PHB:
-thermoplastic
-biodegradable in anaerobic landfill conditions
-stable in everyday aerobic conditions
-biocompatible, making it useful in surgical stitches because it dissolves in the body over time without being toxic
-brittle

Uses of PHB:
- stitches
- plastic shampoo/milk bottles
- fishing lines,razors, cutlery,disposable bags, plastic plates

Future potential:
- doesnt have mainstream use because it is not as cheap to produce as plastics made from petrochemicals
- however, its biodegradable and renewable nature gives it potential if weaknesses can be overcome
- waste produced from the process is a disposal issue

Research:
-1992: team at Michican state university inserted a gene from A eutrophus into a the dna of cress plants, producing a plant that grows PHA plastic
- Research has also resulted a gene from A eutrophus being inserted into E coli, causing GM E coli to produce BHA. This is useful because E coli grow and reproduce at a more rapid rate
- Research is ongoing in order to make the process faster and cheaper to compete with plastics derived from petrochemicals
 

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