1. IntroductionIntroduction
 Degradable polymers that are naturally degradedDegradable polymers that are naturally degraded
by the action of microorganisms such as bacteria,by the action of microorganisms such as bacteria,
fungi and algaefungi and algae
 What are Bioplastics?What are Bioplastics?
 Benefits Include:Benefits Include:
 100 % biodegradable100 % biodegradable
 Produced from natural, renewable resourcesProduced from natural, renewable resources
 Able to be recycled, composted or burned withoutAble to be recycled, composted or burned without
producing toxic byproductsproducing toxic byproducts

3. ApplicationsApplications
 IndustryIndustry
 Products, films, paper laminates & sheets,Products, films, paper laminates & sheets,
bags and containersbags and containers
 AutomobilesAutomobiles
 MedicalMedical
 Sutures, ligament replacements, controlledSutures, ligament replacements, controlled
drug release mechanisms, arterial grafts…drug release mechanisms, arterial grafts…
 HouseholdHousehold
 Disposable razors, utensils, diapers, feminineDisposable razors, utensils, diapers, feminine
hygiene products, containers…hygiene products, containers…

6. Production of BioplasticProduction of Bioplastic
BacteriaBacteria
Physical stress ( PH, temperature)Physical stress ( PH, temperature)
PHB synthesisPHB synthesis
PHB recovery from bacterial extractPHB recovery from bacterial extract
Purification of PHBPurification of PHB

7. PHA BiosynthesisPHA Biosynthesis
 It consist three enzymatic reactionIt consist three enzymatic reaction
 Contestation of two acetyl coenzyme A intoContestation of two acetyl coenzyme A into
acetoacetyl-coA byacetoacetyl-coA by ββ-ketoacyl CoA thiolase (phb A)-ketoacyl CoA thiolase (phb A)
 Reduction of actoactyle CoA to ®-3-hydroxybutyryl-Reduction of actoactyle CoA to ®-3-hydroxybutyryl-
CoA by NADPH dependent acetoacetyl CoACoA by NADPH dependent acetoacetyl CoA
dehydrogenase (phb B)dehydrogenase (phb B)
 ®-3-hydroxybutyryl CoA monomer polymerized®-3-hydroxybutyryl CoA monomer polymerized
into PHB by P(3HB) polymerase (phbC)into PHB by P(3HB) polymerase (phbC)
(huisman(huisman et alet al., 1989)., 1989)

8. Bioplastic PropertiesBioplastic Properties
 Some are stiff and brittleSome are stiff and brittle
 Crystalline structureCrystalline structure  rigidityrigidity
 Degrades at 185°CDegrades at 185°C
 Moisture resistant, water insoluble, opticallyMoisture resistant, water insoluble, optically
pure, impermeable to oxygenpure, impermeable to oxygen
 Must maintain stability during manufacture andMust maintain stability during manufacture and
use but degrade rapidly when disposed of oruse but degrade rapidly when disposed of or
recycledrecycled

9. ConclusionsConclusions
 Need for bioplastic optimization:Need for bioplastic optimization:
 Economically feasible to produceEconomically feasible to produce
 Cost appealing to consumersCost appealing to consumers
 Question:Question:
How many of you would be willing to pay 2-3How many of you would be willing to pay 2-3
times more for plastic products because theytimes more for plastic products because they
were “environmentally friendly”?were “environmentally friendly”?

10.  Rahul Negi, Dr Vikas Babu “Scientist C”Rahul Negi, Dr Vikas Babu “Scientist C”
 Department of Biotechnology Graphic EraDepartment of Biotechnology Graphic Era
University DehradunUniversity Dehradun

11. Abstract-Abstract-
Polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) are a potential alternative to thePolyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) are a potential alternative to the
environment polluting non degradable plastics. These compounds areenvironment polluting non degradable plastics. These compounds are
non- toxic, biodegradable, highly crystalline, optically active,non- toxic, biodegradable, highly crystalline, optically active,
isotactic and insoluble polymers. PHBs are storage compoundsisotactic and insoluble polymers. PHBs are storage compounds
produced by variety of micro organisms under nutrient stressproduced by variety of micro organisms under nutrient stress
conditions. About 75 genera of gram positive and gram negativeconditions. About 75 genera of gram positive and gram negative
bacteria are known to produce PHBs when grown in carbon andbacteria are known to produce PHBs when grown in carbon and
nitrogen limited media. Some important examples of PHB producingnitrogen limited media. Some important examples of PHB producing
bacteria arebacteria are Ralstonia eutrophaRalstonia eutropha,, Alcaligenes eutrophus, PseudomonasAlcaligenes eutrophus, Pseudomonas
pseudomallei, E. coli, Halomonas campisalispseudomallei, E. coli, Halomonas campisalis etc.etc.
The major challenge is to make the extraction process economicallyThe major challenge is to make the extraction process economically
viable to be used on an industrial scale that can compete with theviable to be used on an industrial scale that can compete with the
cheap prices of the synthetic non biodegradable plastics such ascheap prices of the synthetic non biodegradable plastics such as
polyethylens. The by-products formed during PHB formation likepolyethylens. The by-products formed during PHB formation like
HAME (hydroxy alkanoate methyl ester) that have alternative fuelHAME (hydroxy alkanoate methyl ester) that have alternative fuel
applications can be used to enhance the industrial application andapplications can be used to enhance the industrial application and
economic feasibility of these compounds.economic feasibility of these compounds.