Microbial synthesis and degradation of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are promising biodegradable plastics that can
provide an approach to solve plastic pollution in the future. The biggest challenge
of PHAs usage is the high cost of production. To address this problem, cheap
substrates and a simple operation process are the priority. Various waste feedstocks
provide enough low-cost carbon sources to obtain sustainable PHAs production.
Numerous microbes have the capability of PHAs accumulation and degradation.
Experiments with mixed microbial cultures and extremophiles demonstrated
successful PHAs production. Up to now, scientists have extensively studied the
mechanism of PHAs production and degradation. The fundamental parameters
have been studied to engineer a path for up-scaling production. Many applications
have been performed using different types of PHAs. The properties of PHAs have
been characterized to better understand the performances of PHAs to meet further
design an industrial demand plastic.