Molecular design and biosynthesis of biodegradable polyesters

The last two decades have witnessed major discoveries in the field of bacterial polyesters, which makes it all the more promising as a potential biodegradable and biocompatible material. Based on the knowledge obtained, if is now possible to formulate methods to design and synthesize a particular type of bacterial polyester by manipulating biological systems. Poly([R]-3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] is the most common bacterial homopolyester synthesized by almost all genera of the bacterial kingdom. The incorporation of other hydroxyalkanoate monomers into this homopolyester has resulted in the formation of various copolyesters with a common name polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Depending on the type and composition of the incorporated hydroxyalkanoate monomers, PHAs having a wide range of physical properties from crystalline polymers to rubber-like elastomers have been produced. In this paper, we have attempted to give an overview of recent developments in this field with particular emphasis on the findings that was made by our research group. In addition, we have also outlined the possible methods that can be used to design and synthesize biologically some of the PHAs of interest. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.