Bacterial genome provides clues for better bioplastics
Nature Biotechnology pp 1257 - 1262
The genome of a bacterium that makes biodegradable plastics is reported in the October issue of Nature Biotechnology. Ralstonia eutropha H16 is one of many bacteria that store energy as plastic-like molecules—polyhydroxyalkanoates or PHAs—in much the same way that animals accumulate fat reserves. Unlike most other bacteria, it also needs only hydrogen and carbon dioxide to support its survival.
Over 350 billion pounds of plastic are manufactured from fossil fuel annually, primarily from oil. PHAs produced from renewable resources are an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. They can be modified to satisfy requirements needed for a range of applications: from strong plastics needed for molded products through softer, elastic latex-like compositions with film-forming properties, to resin coatings.
The genome of R. eutropha H16 adds to current knowledge of PHA accumulation in this bacterium by revealing more than fifty new genes that likely participate in the bacteria's bioplastic manufacturing machinery. Until now, the requisite properties of bioplastics could be modified by changing the feedstock provided to bacteria. These new genes introduce the possibility that bacteria, or even plants, might be genetically modified to extend the versatility of bioplastics used in everyday life.
