Article
Polymer Science
Juraj Vodicka, Monika Wikarska, Monika Trudicova, Zuzana Juglova, Aneta Pospisilova, Michal Kalina, Eva Slaninova, Stanislav Obruca, Petr Sedlacek
Summary: By manipulating the biosynthetic strategies, the study found that the biodegradability performance and mechanisms of various PHA copolymers differed. The novel PHA copolymer showed potential applicability for intestinal in vivo treatments.
Article
Polymer Science
Aneta Pospisilova, Juraj Vodicka, Monika Trudicova, Zuzana Juglova, Jiri Smilek, Premysl Mencik, Jiri Masilko, Eva Slaninova, Veronika Melcova, Michal Kalina, Stanislav Obruca, Petr Sedlacek
Summary: Films made from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) copolymers produced by Aneurinibacillus sp. H1 have a uniform thickness and are significantly more crystalline compared to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) homopolymer films. Structural differences have a major impact on properties, with increasing 4-hydroxybutyrate content leading to significantly increased ductility and release rate of the model hydrophilic active ingredient.
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Xiaolong Li, Chuanbiao Zhu, Hu Wang, Yang Xiao, Xiang Lu, Yi Li, Zhigang Liu, Yi Tong, Jinping Qu
Summary: In this study, PLA/P(3HB-co-4HB) blends were successfully prepared using a melt plasticization equipment based on elongational flow field (EFF), and MWCNT was introduced to obtain PLA/P(3HB-co-4HB)/MWCNT high-performance alloy. EFF greatly enhanced the mechanical properties, HDT, thermal stability, and crystallization perfection of PLA. Additionally, EFF promoted the dispersion of MWCNT and played a "bridge" role between PLA and P(3HB-co-4HB).
Article
Polymer Science
Sevakumaran Vigneswari, Tana Poorani Gurusamy, Wan M. Khairul, Abdul H. P. S. Khalil, Seeram Ramakrishna, Al-Ashraf Abdullah Amirul
Summary: This study fabricated two types of P(3HB-co-4HB) scaffolds, SCCC and SBCC, by incorporating collagen peptides at different concentrations. Increasing collagen peptides concentration led to decreased porosity and increased wettability and hydrophilicity. The scaffolds displayed good cell adhesion and the 10 wt.% collagen peptides coated scaffolds showed the highest cell proliferation rate. The fabricated scaffolds exhibited 100% inhibition towards various pathogenic microorganisms.
Article
Polymer Science
Wan Nur Syahirah, Nor Azura Azami, Kai-Hee Huong, A. A. Amirul
Summary: The study investigated the preparation and degradation of polymer blends, finding that the addition of natural polymers can affect the hydrophilicity and degradation properties of the blends. Meaningful results were also obtained in the isolation of biodegradation bacteria.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marco Andreolli, Vadim Scerbacov, Nicola Frison, Claudio Zaccone, Silvia Lampis
Summary: Thauera sp. strain Sel9 was isolated and characterized for its ability to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The strain exhibited the potential for cost-effective and environmentally friendly PHA synthesis using VFAs as substrates.
Article
Polymer Science
Mat Junoh Azuraini, Sevakumaran Vigneswari, Kai-Hee Huong, Wan M. Khairul, Abdul H. P. S. Khalil, Seeram Ramakrishna, Al-Ashraf Abdullah Amirul
Summary: In this study, sponge-like porous scaffolds for medical applications were successfully prepared. The introduction of gelatine into PHB helped improve the physical and biological properties of the blend scaffolds. The 0.4g-(P50mol%G10) scaffold showed great potential due to its unique structure and properties.
Article
Polymer Science
Natalia O. Zhila, Kristina Yu Sapozhnikova, Evgeniy G. Kiselev, Ivan Nemtsev, Anna Lukyanenko, Ekaterina Shishatskaya, Tatiana G. Volova
Summary: The synthesis of P(3HB-co-3HV-co-4HV) copolymers by Cupriavidus necator B-10646 using fructose or sodium butyrate as the main C-substrate with the addition of gamma-valerolactone as a precursor of 3HV and 4HV monomers was studied. The physicochemical properties of the copolymers and films were analyzed using various methods, showing changes depending on the proportions of monomers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ekaterina I. Shishatskaya, Aleksey V. Demidenko, Aleksey G. Sukovatyi, Alexey E. Dudaev, Aleksey V. Mylnikov, Konstantin A. Kisterskij, Tatiana G. Volova
Summary: This study presents the construction of 3D scaffolds from degradable poly(3-hydrosbutyrate-co-3hydroxyvalerate) using FDM technology and the evaluation of their structure, mechanical properties, in vitro biocompatibility, and in vivo osteoplastic properties. The results show that the scaffolds have good mechanical properties and biocompatibility, and can promote bone tissue regeneration and complete defect repair.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Palak Sharma, Arihant Ahuja, Ansari Mohammed Dilsad Izrayeel, Pieter Samyn, Vibhore Kumar Rastogi
Summary: A biodegradable film incorporating Thyme essential oil was developed in this study for shelf-life extension of bread. The presence of oil in the films and its release over time were confirmed, along with the plasticizing effect of oil on the films. The antimicrobial activity of the oil films was demonstrated, showing an extended shelf-life of bread when sealed in the films.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kai-Hee Huong, Vigneswari Sevakumaran, A. A. Amirul
Summary: PHA is a biogenic polymer that can substitute synthetic plastic due to its biodegradable and biocompatible attributes. P(3HB-co-4HB) is highlighted as a next generation healthcare biomaterial with high biopharmaceutical and medical value. Research on P(3HB-co-4HB) has focused on aspects ranging from microbial strain discovery to bioprocess cultivation strategies.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Taku Omura, Katsuya Komiyama, Akira Maehara, Taizo Kabe, Tadahisa Iwata
Summary: Marine biodegradable fibers with high strength and elasticity were fabricated successfully from microbial polyesters using a melt-spinning method. The fibers had tensile strengths >200 MPa and elongation at break of similar to 200%, comparable to nonbiodegradable elastic fibers. Importantly, these fibers could be completely degraded in both seawater and freshwater within one month, and the biodegradation process resulted in the generation of periodically stacked lamellar structures on the fiber surface.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Taku Omura, Tatsuya Goto, Akira Maehara, Satoshi Kimura, Hideki Abe, Tadahisa Iwata
Summary: The thermal degradation behavior of P(3HB-co-16 mol%-4HB) was investigated using spectroscopic analysis and kinetic modeling. Results showed the generation of various degradation products during thermal degradation, with the process occurring in at least two steps. Unzipping degradation of 3HB units was observed, which may cease or evaporate an oligomer when reaching a randomly present 4HB unit.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Tao Zhang, Yunjae Jang, Eunhye Lee, Sooan Shin, Ho-Jong Kang
Summary: This study investigates the supercritical carbon dioxide foaming characteristics of the biodegradable polymer P(3HB-co-4HB) for environmentally friendly packaging materials. The effect of the 4HB composition on the foaming conditions, such as pressure and temperature, is studied, and the resulting foam density and expansion ratio are evaluated. Increasing the 4HB content reduces the crystallinity and tan delta value required for foam cell growth. Lower foaming temperatures are needed to maintain a suitable tan delta value. However, foaming is not possible when the 4HB content exceeds 50% due to a high tan delta value. Crystalline P(3HB-co-4HB) with low 4HB content results in lower foam density and higher expansion ratio compared to non-crystalline P(3HB-co-4HB) with high 4HB content. The addition of a chain extender slightly increases the expansion ratio by reducing crystallinity and tan delta, most effectively with a 4HB content of 16%.
Article
Biology
Asiyah Esmail, Joao R. Pereira, Chantal Sevrin, Christian Grandfils, Ugur Deneb Menda, Elvira Fortunato, Abel Oliva, Filomena Freitas
Summary: The study investigated the processing of poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) for porous scaffolds, with emulsion templating technique showing a good balance between porosity and hydrophilicity while maintaining mechanical properties. The copolymer P(3HB-co-3HV) exhibited the best overall performance, with lower crystallinity and higher flexibility.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivana Novackova, Vendula Hrabalova, Eva Slaninova, Petr Sedlacek, Ota Samek, Martin Koller, Vladislav Krzyzanek, Kamila Hrubanova, Katerina Mrazova, Jana Nebesarova, Stanislav Obruca
Summary: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are microbial polyesters that serve as storage compounds for carbon and energy. In addition to their storage function, PHA also plays a role in enhancing microbial cells' resistance to various stressors. This study investigates the role of PHA in Cupriavidus necator, a model organism for PHA metabolism, in adapting to osmotic pressure and copper ions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
K. Meixner, C. Daffert, D. Dalnodar, K. Mrazova, K. Hrubanova, V Krzyzanek, J. Nebesarova, O. Samek, Z. Sedrlova, E. Slaninova, P. Sedlacek, S. Obruca, I Fritz
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the metabolic response of Synechocystis strains, particularly in terms of PHB, glycogen and photoactive pigment dynamics, under salt stress. The results showed that the salt-tolerant strain Synechocystis cf. salina CCALA192 exhibited the highest PHB accumulation and the strongest tolerance to salt stress.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Vojtech Enev, Petr Sedlacek, Marek Rihak, Michal Kalina, Miloslav Pekar
Summary: Isothermal thermogravimetry and time-resolved infrared spectroscopy were used to study the water and its binding in hyaluronan-based hydrogels. Thermogravimetry provided insights into the dehydration kinetics of the gel and indirectly probed the strength of water binding. Infrared spectroscopy directly analyzed the structural changes during dehydration and qualitatively explained the processes observed in thermogravimetry.
FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lenka Rysava, Jana Dorazilova, Milos Dvorak, Petr Sedlacek, Lucy Vojtova, Pavel Kuban
Summary: Polymeric foams made of PVP and CMC07/OC were developed as sorbents for DBS collection and analysis, showing great potential for use in this field.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Eva Slaninova, Stanislav Obruca, Vitaly Kocherbitov, Petr Sedlacek
Summary: Microorganisms have developed various approaches to protect themselves from inconvenient conditions, including the accumulation of compatible solutes. The monomer unit 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) found in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)-accumulating cells acts as a protective agent against heat and oxidative stress, as well as a cryo-protectant. The study shows that Na3HB is a highly effective cryoprotectant, capable of depressing freezing point and generating nonfrozen water.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronika Rehakova, Iva Pernicova, Xenie Kourilova, Petr Sedlacek, Jana Musilova, Karel Sedlar, Martin Koller, Michal Kalina, Stanislav Obruca
Summary: Thermophilic Aneurinibacillus bacteria exhibit remarkable flexibility in polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) synthesis, utilizing selected lactones as precursor monomers. The bacteria can incorporate gamma-valerolactone (GVL), gamma-hexalactone (GHL), and gamma -valerolactone (DVL) into the PHA chain, resulting in the synthesis of copolymers with desirable material properties. This study suggests that thermophilic Aneurinibacillus spp. not only show potential as PHA production chassis, but also as donors of PHA-related genes to enhance PHA production in other thermophiles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Vojtech Jasek, Jan Fucik, Lucia Ivanova, Dominik Vesely, Silvestr Figalla, Ludmila Mravcova, Petr Sedlacek, Jozef Krajcovic, Radek Prikryl
Summary: This study investigated the kinetics of the depolymerization of polyesters poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) using methanol and ethanol. The results showed that methanol had a faster reaction rate with PLA, while ethanol had a slower reaction rate with PHB. The alkyl esters were modified into polymerizable molecules through methacrylation, and it was found that lactates had a faster methacrylation rate than 3-hydroxybutyrates.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bordbar Leila, Petr Sedlacek, Aikaterini Anastasopoulou
Summary: This study investigates the ingestion of plastics in the commercial deep-sea species, Aristaeomorpha foliacea, in the eastern Ionian Sea. The results show that 14.65% of individuals have plastics in their stomachs, with a higher occurrence in males. The ingested plastics are primarily polyester fibers of different sizes, colors, and shapes. Although the health condition of the shrimps is not significantly affected, this study emphasizes the threats of plastics in commonly edible shrimps and their potential transfer to humans.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Maria Rosaria Caputo, Mercedes Fernandez, Robert Aguirresarobe, Adriana Kovalcik, Haritz Sardon, Maria Virginia Candal, Alejandro J. Mueller
Summary: This study investigates the effect of printing conditions in fuse filament fabrication (FFF) on the properties of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxy hexanoate) or PHBH. The results show that increasing the nozzle and bed temperature improves the mechanical properties and enhances interlayer adhesion, while reducing void formation.
Article
Microbiology
Katerina Mrazova, Jaromir Bacovsky, Zuzana Sedrlova, Eva Slaninova, Stanislav Obruca, Ines Fritz, Vladislav Krzyzanek
Summary: Sample preparation protocols for TEM usually rely on staining agents containing heavy metals, but the toxicity and waste disposal issues of uranyl acetate have led to calls for its reduction or replacement. Low-voltage electron microscopy is a strategy for uranyless imaging. This study investigated the influence of different imaging and staining strategies on cyanobacterial cells using TEM with different accelerating voltages, as well as scanning transmission electron microscopy.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anindya Mukherjee, Martin Koller
Summary: Global pollution from fossil plastics is a major environmental threat that can be addressed by using microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as an alternative. PHAs are natural, bio-based, biocompatible, and biodegradable, making them an ideal replacement for fossil plastics. This review demonstrates how PHAs can contribute to a truly circular economy and align with the principles of green chemistry.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Martin Koller, Anindya Mukherjee
Summary: The increasing use of plastics and their negative impact on the environment has led to the development of renewable and biodegradable materials. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a class of biopolymers synthesized by microorganisms, have properties similar to petrochemical plastics but can biodegrade in various environments. The emergence of the PHA industry has attracted the attention of chemical companies, start-ups, and brand owners who are now producing and utilizing PHAs in various applications. This commercialization wave of PHAs holds great potential in reducing plastic pollution and fighting climate change.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)
