Comprehensive characterization of elastomeric Polyhydroxyalkanoate and its sensor applications

Abstract

More than 320 million tons of plastics generated per year represent a serious environmental problem 45 and potential hazard [1]. Biopolymers, particularly polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), are promising 46 alternatives to a slow- or nondegradable petroleum-based plastics [2]. PHAs are biopolyesters that have 47 been applied in many sectors of modern science and industry. PHAs are biocompatible and 48 biodegradable and as such have a positive social and environmental dimension [3]. Degradation 49 metabolites of PHAs are not toxic; they degrade into carbon dioxide and water (under aerobic 50 conditions), or carbon dioxide and methane (under anaerobic conditions) [4]. In 2007, the Food and 51 Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of P(4HB) for surgical sutures in clinical applications 52 and from that period medical applications of PHAs have increased