Recent Progress in Polyhydroxyalkanoates‐Based Copolymers for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

In recent years, naturally biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) monopolymers have become focus of public attentions due to their good biocompatibility. However, due to its poor mechanical properties, high production costs, and limited functionality, its applications in materials, energy, and biomedical applications are greatly limited. In recent years, researchers have found that PHA copolymers have better thermal properties, mechanical processability, and physicochemical properties relative to their homopolymers. This review summarizes the synthesis of PHA copolymers by the latest biosynthetic and chemical modification methods. The modified PHA copolymer could greatly reduce the production cost with elevated mechanical or physicochemical properties, which can further meet the practical needs of various fields. This review further summarizes the broad applications of modified PHA copolymers in biomedical applications, which might shred lights on their commercial applications.

Laser Processing of Polymer Films Fabricated from PHAs Differing in Their Monomer Composition

“…PHAs are synthesized by prokaryotes from various substrates, including waste products [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Development of PHAs was a notable event for biotechnology of degradable materials [ 6 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Monomer composition of PHAs determine their basic properties (crystallinity, thermal and molecular-weight properties, biodegradability), which vary widely, enabling fabrication of products with diverse physical/mechanical characteristics [ 15 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…P(3HB)-based products are degraded slowly, and implants may cause pronounced foreign body reaction [ 42 , 43 ]. Properties of polymeric materials, including P(3HB), can be improved by using biological, chemical, and physical methods, such as fabrication of P(3HB) composites with other materials, biosynthesis of PHA copolymers, chemical modification, and physical treatment of the surface of polymer products [ 6 , 25 , 27 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. These methods help, more effectively or less effectively, change the properties of polymer products, increase their biodegradation rate, enhance their flexibility and mechanical strength, increase surface hydrophilicity and porosity to facilitate cell attachment, improve gas dynamic properties of the products, and enhance their permeability to substrates and metabolic products of cells and tissues.…”

Comparison of the Influence of 45S5 and Cu-Containing 45S5 Bioactive Glass (BG) on the Biological Properties of Novel Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)/BG Composites

“…Polymers, such as PHAs, are highly biocompatible and can be easily formed in complex shapes and structures. However, in order to further enhance their biological properties and to tailor the properties of PHAs for different applications, these biomaterials can be mixed with inorganic components (e.g., hydroxyapatite, bioactive glasses) forming composites [9,18,19]. For example, such composites have been shown to have enhanced capability to form an apatite layer on the implant surface, which for instance is important in the regeneration of bone [20][21][22].…”

Advantages of Additive Manufacturing for Biomedical Applications of Polyhydroxyalkanoates

“…The most commonly used bacteria species able to produce PHAs belong to the genera of Alcaligenes, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Cupriavidus, Chromobacterium, Delftia, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, and Staphylococcus [28]. Different microorganisms own different polymerase enzymes, and this leads to the fact that every single microorganism is capable of producing small differences in the final biopolymer [29]. For example, Ralstonia bacteria have a particular polymerase enzyme that prioritizes the synthesis of scl-PHA [30]; on the opposite, Pseudomonas bacteria produce mcl-PHA [31].…”

“…Bioengineering 2021, 8, 29 17 of material, another attractive property is the slower and controlled release of antituberc lotic drug, up to three months, lengthening the healing period and reducing systemic si effects [116,137]. Wu et al investigated the possibility of 3D printing a clinical device via FDM, whi could also have an antibacterial activity.…”