polühydroksialkanoaatid
Polyhydroxyalkanoates, often abbreviated as PHAs, are a class of polyesters that are biodegradable and biocompatible. They are produced by microorganisms as intracellular storage materials. These compounds serve as a carbon and energy reserve for bacteria, accumulating in granules within the cytoplasm when nutrients are abundant but other essential elements are limited.
The structure of PHAs consists of repeating units of hydroxyalkanoic acids, linked together by ester bonds.
PHAs are synthesized through various microbial fermentation processes, where specific bacteria are cultured under controlled conditions.
The applications of PHAs are diverse and include packaging materials, medical devices such as sutures and tissue