Biopolymer Biopol (polyhydroxyalkanoate)

- co-polymer consisting of polyhydroxybutyrate and polyhydroxyvalerate

Enzyme or Bacteria – Azobacter and Pseudomonas
Organism Industrially - Alcaligenes eutrophus
involved
Production Industrial – bacteria is grown in tanks with carbon-based food sources. The
polymer is isolated and purified by dissolving the PHB and removing solid
waste centrifuging, then precipitating the solution and drying the powder.
Properties - insoluble in water
- permeable to oxygen
- resistant to UV light, acids and bases
- soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons
- biocompatible
- high melting point
- high tensile strength
- denser than water
- non-toxic
Uses As Biopol is biodegradable and biocompatible, more uses are always being
discovered. Currently known uses are:
- medical applications
- slow release of insecticides, pesticides and fertilisers
- disposable containers for shampoo and cosmetics
- razors, rubbish bags, fast food utensils and disposable nappies.
Disadvantages Currently more expensive to produce than conventional plastics
Evaluation