Polyhydroxyalkanoates – what are the uses? Current challenges and perspectives

Abstract

Over the past few decades, a considerable attention has been focused on the microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) owing to its multifaceted properties, i.e. biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity and thermo-plasticity. This article presents a critical review of the foregoing research, current trends and future perspectives on the value added applications of PHAs in the biomedical, environmental and industrial domains of life.

• Biocompatible
• biodegradable
• biofuel
• biomedical implant
• green composite
• polyhydroxyalkanoates
• therapeutic carrier
• tissue engineering

Acknowledgements

We are deeply indebted to Dr. Aamira Tariq, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan, for providing her useful suggestions in the preparation of this manuscript. The financial support given by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan under the Indigenous Research Fellowship Program is gratefully acknowledged.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.