In situ crystallization of native poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) granules in varying environmental conditions
Date
2010-12
Authors
Contributor
Advisor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Narrator
Transcriber
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
[Honolulu] : [University of Hawaii at Manoa], [December 2010]
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a microbial biopolyester that can be produced from renewable feedstocks as an eco-friendly bioplastic. PHB in vivo exists as amorphous, intracellular granules that contain a small amount of water and are surrounded by a membrane of lipids and proteins. The native granules undergo varying degrees of crystallization when subjected to changes in environment such as dehydration, temperature, pH, and other mild conditions. For the first time, the in situ crystallization of native PHB granules was monitored via ATR-FTIR. Empirical models describing the crystallization of PHB granules in different environments were developed from Avrami's equation. The extent of granule crystallization is governed by granule size, number of nucleation points, and spherulitic geometry. The primary stabilizing factors of amorphous PHB granules are water, membrane lipids and proteins. Removing any of these factors may induce partial crystallization of PHB, which toughens the granules against extensive molecule degradation and granule aggregation.
Description
M.S. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2010.
Includes bibliographical references.
Includes bibliographical references.
Keywords
PHB, crystallization, biological engineering
Citation
Extent
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Theses for the degree of Master of Science (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Bioengineering.
Related To (URI)
Table of Contents
Rights
Rights Holder
Local Contexts
Collections
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.