Methods for identification, quantification and characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoates

Author(s): Suchitra Godbole

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are the polymers of hydroxyalkanoates that accumulate as a carbon/energy storage material in various microorganisms. PHAs have been attracting considerable attention as biodegradable substitutes for conventional polymers, because of their similar material properties to conventional plastics. A number of review articles on the general features of PHAs, the physiology, genetics and molecular biology, the development of PHAs having novel monomer constituents, production processes, biodegradation of PHAs are available. Recently much effort has been devoted to develop a process for the economical production of PHAs. The isolation, analysis and characterization of PHAs are important factors for any process development. A number of methods have been developed for the analysis of PHAs. This paper is an effort to compile the methods available for the identification, quantitative estimation and characterization of PHAs. The methods described in this paper include- staining reactions, spectrophotometric methods, infrared and FTIR spectroscopy, HPLC, gas chromatography and GC-MS analysis, NMR spectroscopy, flow cytometry and spectrofluorometry, molecular weight determination and thermal analysis. The methods have been discussed with their advantages and disadvantages. Recent developments in the analysis of PHAs have also been discussed.

10.21746/ijbio.2016.04.005

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