Biopolymers and biopolymer blends, and method for producing same
AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsFriedrich Srienc, Aaron S. Kelley, Nikolaos Mantzaris
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Abstract
Biopolymers and biopolymer blends, including block copolymers, prepared via enzyme-mediated catalysis preferably in a microorganism host in which the reaction conditions are selected to produce biopolymers and biopolymer blends having particular chemical compositions and microstructures.
Claims7
A block copolymer comprising:
- (a) a first block comprising hydroxy organoate units;
- and
- (b) a second block comprising hydroxy organoate units, wherein said first block is different from said second block.
A process for preparing a polymer particle comprising introducing a first and a second nutrient into a microorganism comprising a polymerase capable of processing said nutrients to form biopolymers, wherein the first nutrient comprises 3-hydroxy butyric acid, or a precursor thereof, and said second nutrient comprises 3-hydroxy valeric acid, or a precursor thereof, and
- wherein the relative amounts of said nutrients and the timing of introduction into said microorganism are selected to produce a polymer particle comprising:
- (a) a core comprising a first biopolymer in the form of a copolymer comprising 3-hydroxy butyrate and 3-hydroxy valerate units;
- and
- (b) a shell substantially surrounding said core comprising a second biopolymer differing from said first biopolymer, said second biopolymer being in the form of a homopolymer comprising 3-hydroxy butyrate units,
- said shell having a thickness that is less than about 1 micrometer.
An adhesive composition comprising:
- (A) a block copolymer comprising:
- (a) a fist block comprising 3-hydroxy organoate units;
- and
- (b) a second block comprising 3-hydroxy organoate units, wherein said first block is different from said second block;
- and
- (B) a tackifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.