Compositions comprising low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoates and methods employing same
AssigneeMetabolix, Inc.
InventorsRobert S. Whitehouse, Luhua Zhong, Sean Daughtry
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Abstract
Polyhydroxyalkanoate compositions including hot melt adhesive compositions, biodegradable wax compositions, and protective coating compositions are provided and include a low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate, a terminally-modified polyhydroxyalkanoate, or both. The compositions are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Methods of protecting an article, such as a food product like cheese, are also provided and include coating or encapsulating the article with a composition containing a low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate, a terminally-modified polyhydroxyalkanoate, or both.
Claims54
A hot melt adhesive composition comprising:
- at least one biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate having a molecular weight of from about 500 to less than 50,000;
- optionally comprising at least one tackifying resin;
- and
- optionally comprising at least one wax;
- wherein the hot melt adhesive composition has a viscosity of less than about 100,000 centipoise at 150° C., wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate is selected from polymers of 4-hydroxyacids, 5-hydroxyacids, copolymers thereof, or blends thereof.
A hot melt adhesive composition comprising:
- at least one biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate having a molecular weight from about 1,000 to about 5,000,
- optionally comprising at least one tackifying resin, and
- optionally comprising at least one wax,
- wherein the hot melt adhesive composition has a viscosity of less than about 100,000 centipoise at 150° C., wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate is selected from poly(hydroxybutyrate), polyhydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyheptanoate, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyoctanoate, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-3 hydroxypropionate, or polyhydroxybutyrate-4-hydroxyvalerate or wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate is selected from polymers of 3-hydroxyacids, 4-hydroxyacids, 5-hydroxyacids, copolymers thereof, or blends thereof.
A hot melt adhesive composition comprising:
- at least one biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate having a molecular weight of from about 500 to less than 50,000,
- optionally comprising at least one tackifying resin, and
- optionally comprising at least one wax,
- wherein the hot melt adhesive composition has a viscosity of less than about 100,000 centipoise at 150° C., wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate is selected from poly(hydroxybutyrate), polyhydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyheptanoate, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyoctanoate, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-3 hydroxypropionate, or polyhydroxybutyrate-4-hydroxyvalerate or wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate is selected from polymers of 3-hydroxyacids, 4-hydroxyacids, 5-hydroxyacids, copolymers thereof, or blends thereof, and
- wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate is terminally modified to have at least one of the terminal end groups selected from:
- a) —CO—CH═CR9R10;
- b) —OR11;
- c) —COOR12,
- d) —COR13;
- or
- e) —O−M+
- wherein R9, R10, and R12 which are the same or different, represent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radicals, halo- or hydroxy-substituted radicals, hydroxy radicals, nitrogen-substituted radicals, oxygen-substituted radicals, or a hydrogen atom, and wherein R11 and R13 which are the same or different, represent saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radicals, halo- or hydroxy-substituted radicals, hydroxy radicals, nitrogen-substituted radicals, or oxygen-substituted radicals, and M+ is a counterion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.