General Aspects of Biodegradable Biopolymers and the Polyhydroxyalkanoates’ Family

Abstract

Plastic polymers are ubiquitous and life without them is practically impossible. Despite the advantages provided by the material, conventional plastics are also harmful to the environment and human health. Therefore, the search for alternatives, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a family of biodegradable thermoplastic polyesters naturally produced by PHA-accumulating bacteria, such as Pseudomonas spp. and Ralstonia eutropha, through fermentative processes, is of paramount importance. In the present work, the objective of the researchers was to develop a revisional study regarding biodegradable biopolymers and the PHAs’ importance and benefits for society and the environment. In this review, articles published since the year 2000, related to the different aspects of biodegradable plastics and PHAs, were accurately analyzed and reviewed. The subjects covered ranged from conventional plastics and the problems related to their large-scale production and the importance of biodegradable plastics, as well as PHAs, their positive aspects, and the feasibility of their use as an alternative to replace conventional plastics. Those subjects were extensively reviewed and concisely discussed. The present study demonstrated the importance of biodegradable plastics and the PHAs’ family, its different application possibilities, and its viability as an alternative to replace conventional plastics, since it can mimic their characteristics efficiently, with the advantage of being biodegradable and produced from renewable sources.