Science and Principles of Biodegradable and Bioresorbable Medical Polymers

Traditional plastics pose a serious threat to the environment due to their non-degradable nature. As an alternative, a family of naturally occurring biodegradable polymer known as Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have been produced by a range of bacterial species. These PHAs are polyesters of R-hydroxyalkanoic acids and exhibit a wide range of properties depending on the number of carbon atoms in their monomer units. This book chapter discusses the discovery, occurrence, and mechanisms of PHA biosynthesis in bacteria. Additionally, the wide-ranging potential of PHAs and their future trends have been discussed