IntroductionIntroduction

Degradable polymers that are naturally Degradable polymers that are naturally degraded by the action of microorganisms degraded by the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algaesuch as bacteria, fungi and algae

What are Bioplastics?What are Bioplastics?

Benefits Include:Benefits Include: 100 % biodegradable100 % biodegradable Produced from natural, renewable resourcesProduced from natural, renewable resources Able to be recycled, composted or burned Able to be recycled, composted or burned

without producing toxic byproducts without producing toxic byproducts

ApplicationsApplications IndustryIndustry

Products, films, paper laminates & Products, films, paper laminates & sheets, bags and containerssheets, bags and containers

AutomobilesAutomobiles

MedicalMedical Sutures, ligament replacements, Sutures, ligament replacements,

controlled drug release mechanisms, controlled drug release mechanisms, arterial grafts…arterial grafts… HouseholdHousehold

Disposable razors, utensils, diapers, Disposable razors, utensils, diapers, feminine hygiene products, containers…feminine hygiene products, containers…

Production of BioplasticProduction of Bioplastic

BacteriaBacteria

Physical stress ( PH, temperature) Physical stress ( PH, temperature)

PHB synthesisPHB synthesis

PHB recovery from bacterial extractPHB recovery from bacterial extract

Purification of PHBPurification of PHB

PHA BiosynthesisPHA Biosynthesis

It consist three enzymatic reactionIt consist three enzymatic reaction Contestation of two acetyl coenzyme A into Contestation of two acetyl coenzyme A into

acetoacetyl-coA by acetoacetyl-coA by ββ-ketoacyl CoA thiolase (phb A)-ketoacyl CoA thiolase (phb A) Reduction of actoactyle CoA to ®-3-hydroxybutyryl-Reduction of actoactyle CoA to ®-3-hydroxybutyryl-

CoA by NADPH dependent acetoacetyl CoA CoA by NADPH dependent acetoacetyl CoA dehydrogenase (phb B)dehydrogenase (phb B)

®-3-hydroxybutyryl CoA monomer polymerized ®-3-hydroxybutyryl CoA monomer polymerized into PHB by P(3HB) polymerase (phbC)into PHB by P(3HB) polymerase (phbC)

(huisman (huisman et alet al., 1989)., 1989)

Bioplastic PropertiesBioplastic Properties Some are stiff and brittleSome are stiff and brittle

Crystalline structure Crystalline structure rigidity rigidity Degrades at 185°CDegrades at 185°C Moisture resistant, water insoluble, Moisture resistant, water insoluble,

optically pure, impermeable to oxygenoptically pure, impermeable to oxygen Must maintain stability during Must maintain stability during

manufacture and use but degrade rapidly manufacture and use but degrade rapidly when disposed of or recycledwhen disposed of or recycled

ConclusionsConclusions

Need for bioplastic optimization:Need for bioplastic optimization: Economically feasible to produceEconomically feasible to produce Cost appealing to consumersCost appealing to consumers

Question:Question:How many of you would be willing to pay How many of you would be willing to pay

2-3 times more for plastic products 2-3 times more for plastic products because they were “environmentally because they were “environmentally friendly”?friendly”?

Rahul Negi, Dr Vikas Babu “Scientist Rahul Negi, Dr Vikas Babu “Scientist C”C”

Department of Biotechnology Department of Biotechnology Graphic Era University DehradunGraphic Era University Dehradun

Abstract-Abstract-

Polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) are a potential alternative to the Polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) are a potential alternative to the environment polluting non degradable plastics. These compounds are environment polluting non degradable plastics. These compounds are non- toxic, biodegradable, highly crystalline, optically active, isotactic non- toxic, biodegradable, highly crystalline, optically active, isotactic and insoluble polymers. PHBs are storage compounds produced by and insoluble polymers. PHBs are storage compounds produced by variety of micro organisms under nutrient stress conditions. About 75 variety of micro organisms under nutrient stress conditions. About 75 genera of gram positive and gram negative bacteria are known to genera of gram positive and gram negative bacteria are known to produce PHBs when grown in carbon and nitrogen limited media. produce PHBs when grown in carbon and nitrogen limited media. Some important examples of PHB producing bacteria are Some important examples of PHB producing bacteria are Ralstonia Ralstonia eutrophaeutropha, , Alcaligenes eutrophus, Pseudomonas pseudomallei, E. coli, Alcaligenes eutrophus, Pseudomonas pseudomallei, E. coli, Halomonas campisalis Halomonas campisalis etc. etc.

The major challenge is to make the extraction process economically The major challenge is to make the extraction process economically viable to be used on an industrial scale that can compete with the viable to be used on an industrial scale that can compete with the cheap prices of the synthetic non biodegradable plastics such as cheap prices of the synthetic non biodegradable plastics such as polyethylens. The by-products formed during PHB formation like polyethylens. The by-products formed during PHB formation like HAME (hydroxy alkanoate methyl ester) that have alternative fuel HAME (hydroxy alkanoate methyl ester) that have alternative fuel applications can be used to enhance the industrial application and applications can be used to enhance the industrial application and economic feasibility of these compounds.economic feasibility of these compounds.