Poly ß-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)

Synthetic plastics produced mainly from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, have generated a large amount of plastic waste discarded in the environment over the years due to exorbitant consumption by the population, thus creating a huge problem because this material is very resistant to degradation. In this sense, this paper presents biopolymers, an alternative to conventional plastics, as they are obtained from renewable raw materials. Poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), the main representative of PHAs, derived from sugar cane, is a polyester produced and accumulated by various bacteria in the form of carbon and energy reserve granules. When deposited in biologically active environments, the biodegradation of this polymer will provide water and carbon dioxide, without releasing toxic residues. PHB can be synthesised biotechnologically by the bacterium Cupriavidus necator, which has high yields and productivity in obtaining this biopolymer, factors that are essential for reducing production costs.