It's about synthesis of bioplastic. specifically about PHA and bioplastic synthesis from red algae. It was completed under guidance of Mr. Abdul Shafiullah, Lecturer SSC, Shimoga

1. KUVEMPU
UNIVERSITY
Sahyadri Science College, Shivamogga
Department of Biotechnology
Seminar Topic :BIOPLASTIC SYNTHESIS
Guide: By:
MR.ABDUL SHAFIULLA SIDDARTH S G
lecturer, Dept. of Biotechnology I M.Sc., I Semester
Sahyadri Science college Sahyadri Science
college
Shivamogga Shivamogga

2. CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Types of BIOPLASTICS
 POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES (PHA)
 PRODUCTION OF PHA
 RECOVERY OF PHA FROM CELLS
 ONGOING RESEARCH
 BIODEGRADATION
 References

3. INTRODUCTUION
BIOPLASTICS:
Degradable polymers that are naturally degraded by the
action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae.
 100 % biodegradable, produced from natural,
renewable resources
 Able to be recycled, composted or burned without
producing toxic byproducts

4.  Biodegradable or compostable plastics are those that meet all
the scientifically recognized standards of biodegradability of
plastics and plastic products independent of their carbon origin.
 biodegradability is measured on mineralization, disintegration
and Safety of the material.
 at least 90% conversion to CO2, water and biomass via
microbial assimilation.
 should occur within a time period of 180 days or less.
 no impacts on plants.

5. TYPES OF BIOPLASTICS

6. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a family of bio-polyesters with
diverse structures, are the only bio-plastics completely
synthesized by microorganisms.
Many bacteria are also capable of making PHA. In the last 10
years, PHA have been developed rapidly to find applications in
various fields
 Two different types
short chain : 3-5 carbon
long chain : 6-14 carbons

7. Production of PHA
 PHA polymers are produced via a series of enzymatic
reactions.
 The properties of PHA polymers are dependent on the starting
carbon feed stocks, the metabolic pathways for the conversion
of those feed stocks into precursors for PHAs, and the specific
activities and substrate specificities of the enzymes involved in
the process.
 In native PHA producing organisms, PHAs are accumulated as
granules that are surrounded by specific lipids and proteins

8. RECOVERY OF PHA CELL
 PHA producing microorganisms stained with Sudan black or
Nile blue
 Cells separated out by centrifugation or filtration
 PHA is recovered using solvents (chloroform) to break cell wall
& extract polymer
 Purification of polymer

9. On going research
 NIOT DEVLOPS BIOPLSTICS FROM SEAWEED

10.  A breakthrough in the plastic industry has been made by NIOT
(National Institute of Ocean Technology) by developing a bio-
plastic film from macro algae & PEG-3000. This innovation will
potentially scale down the consumption of plastics that are non-
biodegradable.
 These bio plastic films disintegrate in the environment safely
without any traces of toxins. Both the mechanical & physical
properties of bio plastic film exhibit a matching level with the
properties of synthetic plastics.
 Synthetic plastics have become a persisting conundrum in the
environment. In addition to this, these polymers interact with
water and form toxic chemicals that are consequently
discharged to the surroundings, jeopardizing life on Earth.

11.  Synthetic polymers take ages
to break down. Many plant-based bio plastics (sugarcane
& corn starch) are available in the market as renewable and
eco-friendly.
 These are similar to the algae-based bio plastics. In an effort
to determine a feasible substitute without disturbing the
terrestrial crops utilized for anthropogenic needs.
 Researchers have steered their studies on marine biomass
for the production of biodegradable plastics in a sustainable
manner leaving the feedstock biomass unhampered.

12.  In a crowded nation like India, several kinds of dangerous
plastics are utilized rampantly because of the soaring demands
for packaging of several foods and consumer products.
Scientists from NIOT have successfully found a solution to this.
 They have devised and assessed bio plastic films by using eco-
friendly methodologies with seaweed. One of the viable options
they found is the usage of renewable seaweed.
 Red algae (Kappaphycus alvarezii) is a macro alga proven to
be a significant commercial source of many commodities and
carrageenan that have extensive industrial uses. These algae
are extremely colloidal and can be easily and cheaply
cultivated in a short period of time (about 45 days) with sunlight
alone and no chemicals or freshwater.

13.  Despite this, they are a potential source of polymers like the
polymers from land-based plants that are utilized to produce
carry bags and food packaging materials which enables
permeability of moisture and oxygen.
 Since the permeability of moisture and oxygen are two crucial
facets for packaging materials of fresh produce in order to
prolong their shelf-life, NIOT researchers propose that red
algae might be our knight in shining armor for environmental
crises related to toxic plastics.

14.  NIOT researchers used this red seaweed which was grown in
the Gulf of Manner area for the development of bio plastic films
along with the plasticizer PEG-3000 (Polyethylene Glycol) to
attain enhanced tensile strength.
 Polyethylene glycol is an eco-friendly & non-toxic polymer,
majorly utilized to boost the thermos-plasticity of polymers
largely employed in medicinal sectors to manufacture
dispersing agents and creams that are utilized in therapeutic
products.

15.  The present study results from NIOT proved that bio plastic
polymers can be naturally degraded in a short timeframe with
no traces of toxic by-products.
 These bio plastic films can also be discarded similarly to
normal food waste disposal methods.
 The research implies that large-scale production of seaweed
bio plastics could be a turning point for the future.
 The research was supervised by Dr. Gopal Dharani, Mr.
Dhassiah Magesh Peter, and Dr. Muthiyal Prabakaran
Sudhakar from Ocean Science & Technology for Islands Group,
Marine Biotechnology Department, NIOT, Ministry of Earth
Science, Government of India, Chennai. The study findings
were recently issued in Environmental Science & Pollution
Research journal.

16. Biodegradation
 Fastest in anaerobic sewage and slowest in seawater
 Depends on temperature, light, moisture, exposed surface
area, pH and microbial activity
 Degrading microbes colonize polymer surface & secrete PHA
depolymerizes
 PHA  CO2 + H2O (aerobically)
 PHA  CO2 + H2O + CH4 (anaerobically)

17. REFERENCES
 https://www.biotecnika.org/2021/01/niot-develops-
bioplastics-from-seaweed-a-sustainable-source/
 https://www.britannica.com/technology/bioplastic
 https://www.gktoday.in/gk/bioplastics-meaning-
types-and-impacts-on-environment/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioplastic#Proposed_a
pplications
 https://image.slidesharecdn.com/bio-
plasticfrombacteria-120601074021-
phpapp02/95/bio-plastic-from-bacteria-24-
728.jpg?cb=1338536639

18. THANK YOU