Microbial Polyesters

Microbial Polyesters provides the reader with the necessary background for understanding the nature and mechanism of biological polymerization. It describes detailed aspects of the biosynthesis, properties and applications of microbial polyesters, thermoplastics with biodegradable and biocompatible properties. This book will be of special interest to researchers and graduate students working in microbiology, biotechnology and polymer science and technology. Contents: Introduction; Fermentation and Analysis of Microbial Polyesters; Microorganisms and Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates); Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates) Metabolism; Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate–co–4–hydroxybutyrate); Structure and Properties of Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate); Solid State Properties of Copolyesters; Biodegradation of Microbial Polyesters.

Spis treści:
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Microbial Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate)
1.2 Microbial Poly(hydroxyalkanoates)
1.3 Environmentally Degradable Polyesters
References
Chapter 2 Fermentation and Analysis of Microbial Polyesters
2.1 Fermentation Production
2.1.1 Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate)
2.1.2 Poly(hydroxyalkanoates)
2.2 Polymer Isolation
2.2.1 Solvent Extraction
2.2.2 Alkaline Hypochlorite Treatment
2.2.3 Enzyme Treatment
2.3 Analysis
2.3.1 Polyester Content of Cells
2.3.2 Composition of Copolymers
2.3.3 Molecular Weight
References
Chapter 3 Microorganisms and Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates)
3.1 Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate) in Microorganisms
3.1.1 Functions of Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate)
3.1.2 Structure of Native P(3HB) Granules
3.2 Biosynthesis of Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates)
3.2.1 Alcaligenes eutrophus
3.2.2 Pseudomonas oleovorans
3.2.3 Other Bacterial Strains
3.3 Molecular Structures of Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates)
3.3.1 Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate–co–3–hydroxyalerate)
3.3.2 Poly(3–hydroxyal kanoates–co–3–hydroxy––chloroalkanoates)
References
Chapter 4 Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates) Metabolism
4.1 Pathways of Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate) Synthesis
4.2 Pathways of Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates) Synthesis
4.3 Enzymology of Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates) Synthesis
4.3.1 3–Ketothiolase
4.3.2 Acetoacetyl–CoA Reductase
4.3.3 P(3HB) Synthase
4.4 Pathways of P(3–hydroxybutyrate) Degradation
4.5 Cyclic Nature of Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates) Metabolism
4.5.1 Replacement of P(3HB) by P(3HB–co–3HV)
4.5.2 Replacement of P(3HB–co–3HV) by P(3HB)
4.5.3 Application to PHA Fermentation
References
Chapter 5 Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate–co–4–hydroxybutyrate)
5.1 Alcaligenes eutrophus and Carbon Substrates
5.2 Molecular Structure
5.3 Biosynthetic Pathway
References
Chapter 6 Structure and Properties of Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate)
6.1 Crystal Structure and Properties
6.1.1 Crystal Structure
6.1.2 Solid–State Properties
6.2 Solution Properties
References
Chapter 7 Solid–State Properties of Copolyesters
7.1 Composition and Physical Properties
7.1.1 X–Ray Diffraction Analysis
7.1.2 Solid–State CP/MAS 13C–NMR Analysis
7.1.3 Mechanical Properties
7.2 Thermal Properties
7.2.1 Melting Temperatures
7.2.2 Glass–Transition Temperatures
7.2.3 Thermal Stability
7.3 Kinetics of Crystallization
References
Chapter 8 Biodegradation of Microbial Polyesters
8.1 Extracellular P(3HB) Depolymerase
8.1.1 Pseudomonas lemoignei
8.1.2 Alcaligenes faecalis
8.2 Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Copolyesters
8.3 Simple Hydrolysis of Polyesters
8.4 Applications and Prospects
8.4.1 Environmentally Degradable Plastics
8.4.2 Medical Applications
References
Index

Okładka tylna:
Microbial Polyesters provides the reader with the necessary background for understanding the nature and mechanism of biological polymerization. It describes detailed aspects of the biosynthesis, properties and applications of microbial polyesters, thermoplastics with biodegradable and biocompatible properties. This book will be of special interest to researchers and graduate students working in microbiology, biotechnology and polymer science and technology. Contents: Introduction; Fermentation and Analysis of Microbial Polyesters; Microorganisms and Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates); Poly(3–hydroxyalkanoates) Metabolism; Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate–co–4–hydroxybutyrate); Structure and Properties of Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate); Solid State Properties of Copolyesters; Biodegradation of Microbial Polyesters.