Journal of Petroleum & Environmental Biotechnology

Abstract

Need for Bioplastics and Role of Biopolymer PHB: A Short Review

Bharti SN and Swetha G

PHB, a biodegradable polymer that can be synthesized by bacterial systems under certain conditions or as a biosynthetic product, which has significant characters as that of synthetic polymers while being eco-friendly. The key for research lies in its properties like biodegradable, durable, temperature resistant, non- pollution causing polymer. This simple human friendly polymer belongs to a huge class of biopolymers by PHA, stands for Poly hydroxy Butarates, well known for their physico-chemical properties as natural polymers. It’s high time, needful now to protect natural environment and depend the minimum on non renewable resources. In this context, Synthetic plastics stand in the top- occupying the major non-recyclable, non biodegradable material on the planet. Many polymers in nature can meet these demands, research in this regard with the target to replace the petroleum plastics with natural, biodegradable, recyclable plastics. Of all, family of PHA has gained attention with its characteristic features and competitive as that of synthetic plastics. This short review focuses on few process parameters, use of better and cheap substrate possible, challenges in process development for commercialization of bioplastic production.