Читать книгу Biomolecules from Natural Sources - Группа авторов - Страница 39

The plastic revolution brings wealth and happiness for many and allows nearly all industrial sectors to flourish, but nowadays it is a subject for continuous evaluation and validation. However, the image is not entirely black, in fact there are many positive things that compete strongly and direct us toward better management of our resources: are we are able to reduce the amount of synthetic polymers? Are we are able to fill the market demand? In fact, biopolymers are not able to do that today. Some points could be summarized:

1 The synthetic polymers are mostly hydrocarbons. Some powerful microbes are able to degrade them successfully such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the different Gordonia spp [34].

2 There are a huge number of biopolymer products and types that could be used as alternatives to synthetic polymers. An example of biopolymers that could be polymerized, which have similar or better properties to the natural products are the polyhydroxyalkanoates. They is considered to be alternatives to plastic. Another example is natural rubber which is an alternative to synthetic rubbers.

3 The recycling of synthetic polymers is under continuous quality control and validation and has reduced the global demand for the amount produced annually.

4 There is an increasing worldwide awareness concerning the plastic accumulation problem and global pollution.

5 Investment in natural materials is profitable.

6 There is a rising political awareness in the problems caused by synthetic materials after the many side effects.

7 Not all synthetic materials have the same issues at the same level. Some forms are beneficial and their side effect could be avoided.