New-to-the-World bioplastics from yeast derived ω-hydroxyfatty acid monomers

International Conference and Exhibition on Biopolymers & Bioplastics

August 10-12, 2015 San Francisco, USA

Richard A Gross

Keynote: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

Introduction: Our laboratory is actively exploring routes to biobased polymers and plastics by combining tools of biotechnology
and green chemical methods. This paper will describe one research program on ω-hydroxyfatty acids (ω-HOFAs) and
corresponding bioplastics.
Methods & Results: Our laboratory has developed an engineered yeast strain that provides the first efficient bio-technological
route to convert fatty acids to ω-HOFAs. In one example, an engineered Candida tropicalis strain used methyl tetradecanoic
acid (methyl myristic acid, Me-C14:0) as a feedstock to produce 112 g/L ω-hydroxyC14 (ω-HOC14) in 55 hours
(productivity 2 g/L•h). Polymerization of ω-HOC14 to form P(ω-OHC14) with Mw values up to 140K was accomplished by
melt-condensation polymerizations catalyzed by Ti(OiPr)4. At or above Mw 78K P(ω-HOC14) shows a strain-hardening phenomenon
and tough properties with elongation at break about 700% and true tensile strength about 50 MPa. Recent work has
explored the incorporation of ω-HOC14 in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomers. At moderate ω-HOC14 contents,
elastomeric TPU’s were obtained that have increased tensile strength and stress at break. Compatibilized blends of PLA with
P(ω-HOC14) were obtained by reactive extrusion. Incorporation of just 5 wt-% of P(ω-HOC14) increased the elongation at
break of PLA from 3% to 150 % while the tensile strength remained almost unchanged.

Biography :

Richard A Gross is currently a full Professor and a Constellation Chaired Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). His research is focused on developing
biocatalytic routes to biobased materials including monomers, macromers, prepolymers, polymers, surfactants and other biochemicals. He has over 500 publications
in peer reviewed journals, been cited about 15,000 times, edited 6-books and has 26 patents (granted or filed). He was the recipient of the 2003 Presidential Green
Chemistry Award in the academic category. In 2010, he was selected as the Turner Alfrey visiting Professor. He founded SyntheZyme LLC in 2009 and serves as
Chief Technology officer.