Abstract
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyesters synthesized by bacteria as a carbon and energy storage material. PHAs are characterized by thermoplasticity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, and thus have attracted considerable attention for use in medical, agricultural, and marine applications. The properties of PHAs depend on the monomer composition and many types of PHA monomers have been reported. This review focuses on biosynthesized PHAs bearing aromatic groups as side chains. Aromatic PHAs show characteristics different from those of aliphatic PHAs. This review summarizes the types of aromatic PHAs and their characteristics, including their thermal and mechanical properties and degradation behavior. Furthermore, the effect of the introduction of an aromatic monomer on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PHAs is discussed. The introduction of aromatic monomers into PHA chains is a promising method for improving the properties of PHAs, as the characteristics of aromatic PHAs differ from those of aliphatic PHAs.
Highlights
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are microbial polyesters produced by numerous bacteria, including Ralstonia eutropha and Pseudomonas putida
The purpose of this review is to summarize the types of biosynthesized PHAs bearing aromatic groups as side chains and their properties
To produce a crystalline aromatic PHA, the synthesis of PHAs containing the methylphenyl group was attempted based on the results of previous studies [46,47,48]
Summary
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are microbial polyesters produced by numerous bacteria, including Ralstonia eutropha and Pseudomonas putida. P(3HB) shows secondary crystallization at room temperature, which means that its physical properties change depending on the aging time [7,8] These characteristics limit the practical uses of P(3HB). That was the first report of a biosynthesized PHA bearing an aromatic group as a side chain [14]. Wide varieties of aromatic monomers have been introduced into biosynthesized PHA chains. The purpose of this review is to summarize the types of biosynthesized PHAs bearing aromatic groups as side chains and their properties. Incorporation of aromatic monomers into PHAs is one possible method of improving the properties of PHAs by conferring superior physical properties, surpassing those of aliphatic PHAs. the aromatic side groups do not compromise the important characteristics of PHAs, including their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and thermoplasticity. It is proposed that the introduction of aromatic monomers into PHA chains is a promising method for producing PHAs with improved material properties
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