Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable and biocompatible materials obtained from renewable sources. In recent years we have acquired expertise in their structural characterization and chemical modification. By using various fatty acids as carbon sources and by varying the nature of the metabolic stress inducing PHAs production, it is possible to obtain a series of medium-chain-length PHAs (mcl-PHAs) with elastomeric properties.
We also investigate transesterification reactions (with conventional or microwave assisted heating) between P(3HB) or its copolymers and commercial polyesters such as polycaprolactone, polybutyleneadipate, polylactic acid and others. As copolyesters, their use in drug delivery systems should be suitable, and we are exploring this field using mcl-PHAs or the product of transesterification between PHA and other commercial polyesters.
People to contact: Giuseppe Impallomeni
PON DIATEME
List of selected publication:
G.Impallomeni, A.Ballistreri, G.M.Carnemolla, S.P.P.Guglielmino, M.S.Nicolo, M.G.Cambria
Synthesis and characterization of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) from Brassica carinata oil with high content of erucic acid and from very long chain fatty acids
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 48(1), 137-145 (2011)
G.Impallomeni, G.M.Carnemolla, G.Puzzo, A.Ballistreri, L.Martino, M.Scandola
Characterization of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-butyleneadipate) copolymers obtained from their homopolymers by microwave-assisted transesterification
Polymer 54(1), 65-74 (2013)
Patents:
