POLY(HYDROXYALKANOATES) FROM FLUORESCENT PSEUDOMONADS IN RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

Poly[(R)-3-hydroxyalkanoates] (PHAs) are biopolymers stored by bacteri a, which are currently receiving much attention because of their poten tial as renewable and biodegradable plastics. Most well-known represen tatives are poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] and its copolymers with 3-hydr oxyvalerate, which have been commercialized under the trademark Biopol . In addition to these rigid materials, the elastomeric medium-chain l ength PHAs (mcl-PHAs) produced by fluorescent Pseudomonads are now eme rging. The present review aims to survey the important developments co ncerning research and application prospects of mcl-PHAs.