-
Finished your HSC? Check out our University Discussion, Non-School forums or help out next year's HSC students! -
YOU can help the next generation of students in the community! Share your trial papers and notes on our Notes & Resources page
Biopol (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter acevipa
- Start date
minijumbuk
┗(^o^ )┓三
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2007
- Messages
- 652
- Gender
- Male
- HSC
- 2008
Commerical name = Biopol
Chemical name (IUPAC?) = Poly(3-hydroxybutanoate)
Common name = PHB?
A diagram of biopol........google images is a good place.
Chemical name (IUPAC?) = Poly(3-hydroxybutanoate)
Common name = PHB?
A diagram of biopol........google images is a good place.
addikaye03
The A-Team
– Name of Biopolymer: Biopol™
§ It is made of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV).
– Organism Used:
§ Alcaligenes eutrophus (a bacterium).
– Production:
§ In industrial production, A. Eutrophus is grown in an environment favourable to its growth to create a very large population of bacteria (such as high nitrates, phosphates and other nutrients).
§ When a sufficiently large population has been produced, the environment is changed to one that is high in glucose, high in valeric acid and low in nitrogen.
§ This unnatural environment induces the production of the polymer by the bacterium; the polymer is actually a natural fat storage material, created by the A Eutrophus in adverse conditions.
§ Large amounts of a chlorinated hydrocarbon, such as trichloromethane are added to the bacteria/polymer mix; this dissolves the polymer.
§ The mixture is then filtered to remove the bacteria.
§ The polymer is extracted from the hydrocarbon solvent as a powder, which is then melted or treated further to create a usable polymer.
– Properties:
§ It is BIODEGRADABLE and BIOCOMPATIBLE
§ It is non-toxic, insoluble in water, permeable to oxygen, resistant to UV light, acids and bases, high melting point, high tensile strength
– Uses in Relation to Properties:
§ It has many medical applications (e.g. biocompatible stiches that dissolve or are absorbed by the body)
§ Disposable containers for shampoo, cosmetics, milk bottles, etc., as it only takes 2 years to decompose back into natural components
§ Disposable razors, cutlery, rubbish bags, plastic plates, etc.
– Advantages:
§ It is biodegradable, unlike polyethylene and other petroleum derived plastics, and so will help to reduce levels of rubbish in land fills
§ It is compatible with organisms (biocompatible); it is not rejected by the body’s immune system and so can be used safely
§ It is a renewable resource
– Disadvantages:
§ It is currently very expensive, and currently the demand is not high enough for it to be economically viable
– Future Developments:
§ Recently, the gene for producing Biopol polymer strands from the Alcaligenes Eutrophus bacteria was extracted and implanted into E. coli using genetic engineering techniques. E. coli bacteria are much easier to grow than other bacteria, and thus are cheaper
§ Nutrient sources are starting to be derived from waste materials, such as molasses and other agricultural wastes. This greatly reduces costs.
courtesy of amhad shah idil
§ It is made of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV).
– Organism Used:
§ Alcaligenes eutrophus (a bacterium).
– Production:
§ In industrial production, A. Eutrophus is grown in an environment favourable to its growth to create a very large population of bacteria (such as high nitrates, phosphates and other nutrients).
§ When a sufficiently large population has been produced, the environment is changed to one that is high in glucose, high in valeric acid and low in nitrogen.
§ This unnatural environment induces the production of the polymer by the bacterium; the polymer is actually a natural fat storage material, created by the A Eutrophus in adverse conditions.
§ Large amounts of a chlorinated hydrocarbon, such as trichloromethane are added to the bacteria/polymer mix; this dissolves the polymer.
§ The mixture is then filtered to remove the bacteria.
§ The polymer is extracted from the hydrocarbon solvent as a powder, which is then melted or treated further to create a usable polymer.
– Properties:
§ It is BIODEGRADABLE and BIOCOMPATIBLE
§ It is non-toxic, insoluble in water, permeable to oxygen, resistant to UV light, acids and bases, high melting point, high tensile strength
– Uses in Relation to Properties:
§ It has many medical applications (e.g. biocompatible stiches that dissolve or are absorbed by the body)
§ Disposable containers for shampoo, cosmetics, milk bottles, etc., as it only takes 2 years to decompose back into natural components
§ Disposable razors, cutlery, rubbish bags, plastic plates, etc.
– Advantages:
§ It is biodegradable, unlike polyethylene and other petroleum derived plastics, and so will help to reduce levels of rubbish in land fills
§ It is compatible with organisms (biocompatible); it is not rejected by the body’s immune system and so can be used safely
§ It is a renewable resource
– Disadvantages:
§ It is currently very expensive, and currently the demand is not high enough for it to be economically viable
– Future Developments:
§ Recently, the gene for producing Biopol polymer strands from the Alcaligenes Eutrophus bacteria was extracted and implanted into E. coli using genetic engineering techniques. E. coli bacteria are much easier to grow than other bacteria, and thus are cheaper
§ Nutrient sources are starting to be derived from waste materials, such as molasses and other agricultural wastes. This greatly reduces costs.
courtesy of amhad shah idil