Bioplastics are substances made from organic biomass sources..

1. BIOPLASTICS
Submitted by
Sreya K J
M Sc Biotechnology

2. BIOPLASTICS
TYPES OF BIOPLASTICS
PHA
PHB
BIOPOL
PLA
CONCLUSION
CONTENTS

3. Bioplastics are substances made from organic biomass
sources, unlike conventional plastics which are made from
petroleum
Uses microorganisms to process base materials such as
vegetable oils, cellulose, starch, acids and alcohols
Have lower environmental impacts than conventional
plastics
Used for disposable items such as packaging, crockery,
pots, bowls, straws…..
BIOPLASTICS

4.  Reduce carbon footprint
 Provide energy savings in production
 Do not involve the consumption of non-renewable raw
materials
 Their production reduces non-biodegradable waste that
contaminates the environment
 Do not contain additives that are harmful to health, such
as phthalates or bisphenol A
 Do not change the flavor or scent of the food contained
ADVANTAGES OF
BIOPLASTICS

5.  Bioplastics comprise of a whole family of materials with
differing properties and applications
 According to European bioplastics, a plastic material is
defined as a bioplastic if it is either biobased, biodegradable,
or features both properties
Biobased : means that the material or product is partly
derived from biomass (plants). Biomass used for bioplastics
come from e.g. corn, sugarcane or cellulose
Biodegradable : a chemical process during which
microorganisms convert materials into natural substances
such as water, carbon dioxide, and compost

6. Divided into three main groups
1. Biobased or partly biobased, non-biodegradable plastics such
as biobased PE (polythene), PP (polypropylene) or PET
(polyethylene terephthalate) and biobased technical
performance polymers such as PTT
(polytrimethyleneterephthalate)
2. Plastics that are biobased and biodegradable, such as PLA,
PHA or PBS (polybutylene succinate)
3. Plastics that are based on fossil resources and are
biodegradable such as PBAT (poly(butylene adipate-co-
terephthalate))
TYPES OF
BIOPLASTICS

7. BIOBASED, NON-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS
• Commodity plastics like PE, PP and PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
can also be made from bioethanol
• Partially biobased polyester PET (polyethylene terephthalene)
is used for both technical applications and packaging (mainly
beverage bottles e.g. “plant bottle” by Coca-Cola)
BIOBASED, NON-BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS
• Comprises many specific polymers such as biobased
polyamides (PA), polyesters(e.g. PTT(polytrimethylene
terephthalate)), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate),
polyurethanes (PUR) and polyepoxides
EXAMPLES OF ESTABLISHED
BIOPLASTIC MATERIALS

8. • Technical applications such as textile fibers (seat covers,
carpets)
• Automotive applications like foams for seating, casings,
cables, hoses and covers
• Operating life lasts several years
BIOBASED, BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS
• Includes starch blends made of thermoplastically
modified starch and other biodegradable polymers as
well as polyesters such as polylactic acid (PLA) or
polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)

9. BIODEGRADABLE, FOSSIL-BASED PLASTICS
• Small group
• Mainly used in combination with starch or other bioplastics to
improve their applications, biodegradability and mechanical
properties
• Still made in petrochemical production processes
• E.g. PBAT (polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate)
A copolyester of adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol and dimethyl
terephthalate
Known by brand names ecoflex®, Wango, Ecoworld, Easter Bio
and Origo-Bi

11.  Polyesters produced in nature by numerous microorganisms,
including through bacterial fermentation of sugar or lipids
 Naturally produced by bacteria in general cultivated on
agricultural raw materials
 They serve as both a source of energy and as a carbon store
 Biodegradable
 Melting points ranging from 40 to 180◦C
 Used in single use packaging and agriculture
PHA
POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES

12.  Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a homopolymer of 3-
hydroxybutyrate and is most widespread and best
characterized member of PHA family
 Other members include PHV (polyhydroxy valerate) and
PHBV

13. Water insoluble and relatively resistant to hydrolytic
degradation
Good UV resistance
Poor resistance to acids & bases
Soluble in chloroform and other chlorinated hydrocarbons
Biocompatible and hence suitable for medical applications
Sinks in water
Non-toxic
Less sticky than traditional polymers when melted
CHARACTERISTICS

14.  A culture of a microorganisms such as Cupriavidus necator is
placed in a suitable medium and fed nutrients so that it
multiplies rapidly
 Once population has reached a substantial level, the
nutrient composition is changed (physiological stress) to
force the microbe to synthesize PHA
 Yield of PHA obtained from intracellular inclusions, can be as
high as 80% of organism’s dry weight
BIOSYNTHESIS

15.  Biosynthesis of PHA is usually caused by certain deficiency
conditions (e.g. lack of macroelements such as P, N, trace
elements or lack of O)
 Polyesters are deposited in the form of granules in the cells
 PHA granules are then recovered by disrupting the cells

17.  Recombinant Bacillus subtilis str pBE2C1 and Bacillus subtilis
str pBE2C1AB are used in production of PHA and they use malt
waste as carbon source for lower cost of PHA production
 PHA synthases are the key enzymes

19.  Use the coenzyme A as substrates
 Two classes of PHAs are formed:
Poly(HA SCL) – short chain lengths including 3-5
carbon atoms, produced by numerous bacteria,
including Cupriavidus necator and Alcaligenes latus
(PHB)
Poly(HA MCL) – medium chain lengths including 6-14
carbon atoms, can be made by Pseudomonas putida

21.  A PHA copolymer called PHBV (poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-
hydroxyvalerate)) is less stiff and tougher, and it may be used
as packaging material
 Used in medical and pharmaceutical industries, fixation and
orthopaedic applications – sutures, suture fasteners,
meniscus repair devices, rivets, staples, screws, bone plates
and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches,
cardiovasular patches, vein valves, ligaments and tendon
grafts, wound dressing and hemostats
APPLICATIONS

28.  Is a polyester produced by certain bacteria processing
glucose, corn starch or waste water
 Characteristics are similar to those of petroplastic
polypropylene
 Produces transparent film at a melting point higher than 130◦C
 Biodegradable without residue
 Better physical properties than polypropylene for food
packaging applications
 Completely non-toxic
PHB
POLY-3-HYDROXYBUTYRATE

29.  PHB was 1st isolated and characterized in 1925
by French microbiologist Maurice Lemoigne

30.  Produced by microorganisms such as Ralstonia eutrophus or
Bacillus megaterium
 In response to physiological stress, mainly conditions in
which nutrients are limited
 Synthesis starts with the condensation of two molecules of
acetyl-CoA acetoacetyl-CoA hydroxybutyryl-CoA
 It is then used as a monomer to polymerize PHB
 Granules are then recovered by disrupting the cells
BIOSYNTHESIS

32.  PHB is made through 3 steps
2 acetyl-CoA
PhaA
acetoacetyl-CoA
PhaB
(R)-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA
PhaC
PHB
In Ralstonia eutropha,
PhaA – Acetyl-CoA
acetyltransferase
PhaB – acetoacetyl-
CoA reductase
PhaC – poly-3-
hydroxybutyrate
synthase

33.  Recombinant Escherichia coli, Paracoccus denitrificans,
Alcaligenes and Methylobacterium rhodesianum also
produce PHB in response to conditions of physiological
stress

34. 1. Extraction method –
 mechanical loads destroy cell walls then the polymer is
solved in chloroform or another solvent like methyl chloride,
1,2- dichloroethane, pyridine and propylene carbonate.
 The remains of cell must be separated by centrifugation and
filtration of the solvent
2. Enzymatic method –
 Enzymes at 37◦C destroy cellwall
ISOLATION PROCESS

35. PROPERTIES OF PHB
Water insoluble
Relatively resistant to hydrolytic degradation
Good oxygen permeability good UV resistance
Poor resistance to acids and bases
Soluble in chloroform and other chlorinated
hydrocarbons
Biocompatible and hence suitable for medical applications
Melting point at 175◦C
Sinks in water, facilitating anaerobic biodegradation in
sediments
Non-toxic and less sticky

36.  Firmicutes and Proteobacteria can degrade PHB
 Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Streptomyces species can
degrade PHB
 Pseudomonas lemoigne, Comamonas sp. Acidovorax faecalis,
Aspergillus fumigatus and Variovorax paradoxus are soil
microbes capable of degradation
 Alcaligenes faecalis, Pseudomonas and Illyobacter delafieldi
are obtained from anaerobic sludge
 Comamonas testosteroni and Pseudomonas stutzeri were
obtained from sea water
BIODEGRADATION

37. PHBs are polymers that bacteria produce under conditions
of low concentration of important nutrients (typically
nitrogen but sometimes oxygen) and high concentrations
of carbon sources
This process occurs because the excess carbon leads to
bacteria creating carbon reserves (PHAs) to save time with
more plentiful nutrients in which they need energy to
carryout regular functions
WHY PHB ARE PRODUCED?

38. Bacteria store PHBs in granules for later use
These polymers are accumulated intracellularly under
conditions of nutrient stress and act as carbon and energy
reserve
PHB is synthesized as a intracellular storage material and
accumulates as distinct white granules during unbalanced
growth in the cell, these are clearly visible in the cytoplasm of
the cell

39. In medicine, PHB is used as a surgical implant, seam threads,
screw, plates
In pharmaceuticals, used in capsules
In automobile industry, biotyres are used
In packaging, for deep drawing articles in food industry, for
example, bottles, laminated foils, fishnets, potted flower,
hygiene, fast food, one-way cups
APPLICATIONS OF PHB

40. BIOPOL is a brand name for PHB
Environmentally friendly, quality biodegradable plastic,
produced through the fermentation of plant sugars and
glucose derived from sweet potatoes, pea starch, soya
starch and vegetable oil
Compostable, degrading harmlessly in soil, after a few
months
BIOPOL

41. BIOPOL is an ideal substance for use in medical industry as
well as the commercial marketing of nappy linings
Surgical pins and sutures
Bottles, laminated foils, fishnets and textile fibres

44. PLA is a thermoplastic polyester derived from renewable
resources, such as corn starch (in US), tapioca roots, chips
or starch (mostly in Asia) or sugarcane (in the rest of the
world)
PLA is not a polyacid but rather a polyester
PLA
POLYLACTIC ACID

45. The biggest producer of PLA is Nature Works, a company
located in Blair, Neb
There corn kernels are milled, a chemical substance called
dextrose is extracted and dextrose is fermented by bacteria
or yeast in big vats
The result is lactic acid, which acts as a repeating unit to
make PLA

46. But lactic acid cannot be directly polymerized into PLA
because the chemical reactions that bonds two molecules
of lactic acid together generates water
Water molecules prevent the growing chain lactic acid
molecules from staying together
So instead of a long chain of lactic acid molecules, many
chains are formed
They are called polylactic acid oligomers
These small chains are processed in a chemical reactions
that lead to small lactide molecules
Lactide molecules are then polymerized to form PLA

47. Lactic acid polylactic acid oligomers
lactide
PLA

50. Lactobacilli species are the most commonly used
microorganism for the production of lactic acid
Most commonly used lactic acid bacteria include
L.rhamnosus, L.delbrueckii, L.amylophilus, L.bavaricus and
L.casei
Lactic acid can be produced by various other bacteria,
fungi, as well as yeast

51. 1. AUTOMOTIVE
 For interiors and under-the-hood parts
Highly heat resistance
Durable
Hydrolytic stability
PLA APPLICATIONS

52. 2. CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
 Injection molded casings & housings
High heat resistance
Excellent surface appearance
Durable
Good impact resistance

53. 3. PACKAGING AND DISPOSABLES
 Cups and bags, compost bags, food packaging, disposable
tableware
Transparent
Compostable
Biobased
Recyclable

54. 4. SPORTSWEAR AND GOODS
 Fibers for apparel, foam for surfboards & helmets, molded
parts for equipments
 Making upholstery, disposable garments, feminine hygiene
products and diapers
High heat resistance
Good breathability
Soft and tactile feel
Washable & durable

55. In circular economy, waste plastic products at their ‘end-of-
life’ form basis for new products instead of being disposed
off
Products are produced from sustainable, natural resources
and are re-used and recycled as much as possible
Multiple end-of-life options:
Recycle and reuse
Compost/biodegrade
Incineration/renewable energy recovery
Anaerobic digestion
Feedstock recovery
PLA AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY

57. Bioplastics are likely to play a significant role in building an
ecofriendly environment by replacing the widely used non-
biodegradable synthetic plastics
As oil cost rise, bioplastics are likely to become a
promising biopol than conventional plastics
CONCLUSION

58. THANK YOU