Development of New Bio-based Plastics from Non-edible Biomass

Abstract

Recently, various bio-based plastics are developed from renewable resources. However, there are still many problems as physical and thermal properties, processability, productivity, utilization of edible materials as carbon sources for practical use of them. We report at first the approach of microbial synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates that are bio-based and biodegradable polyesters by using not only from pure plant oils but also from non-edible oils and waste edible oils. Furthermore, the synthesis and characterization of xylan ester derivatives and their application as a nucleating agent for poly(lactic acid) are described. At the last part, polycondensation of caffeic acid, that is a plant-derived aromatic compound, was performed with the aim of developing novel heat-resistant bio-based plastics.