Biofactories are the best option for the production of plastics/polysaccharides/ fatty acids. These biofactories has especially application for the production of biodegradable and eco-friendly various monomers of bioplastics to meet the present requiremnet of plastics. The term "Biofactories" is coined for the use of microbes/ancient crops/some herbal plants for the production of plastics/polysaccharides/fatty acids/amino acids to replace the petrochemical resources. The technology is eco-friendly and sustainable and can encourage the agro-business.
1. Safflower is the known oldest plant for industrial production of colouring and flavouring agents such as making red (carthamin) and yellow dyes. Its seed oil is used in cosmetics due to its flavorless and colorless properties.
2. Genetic engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) is produced butanediol which is a chemical compound used in automobile industries without oil or natural gas.
3. The bacterial strain Pseudomonas putida CA-3 is used to convert styrene into the plastic polymer as a stored energy source to complete removal of pollutant. The bacterial made plastic is an elastic and heat resistant polymer, which has a wide range of potential industrial uses such as medical implants, wound management, drug carriers and plastic coating of cardboard.
4. Microbes also use organic waste/garbage of agricultural and industrial left over into various monomers of biodegradable eco-friendly bioplastics.
5. Examples of other natural occurring types of bioplastics: Bacterial made high-tech nylon, chitin of insect carapaces, starch in potatoes and cellulose in plant fibers are biological polymers of naturally occurring plastics.
Hence, bioplastics are the smart and eco-friendly choice in the race of progressive development of industrialization and urbanization for developing to developed countries. One of the major advantages of bioplastic production from "Biofactories":
1. This production is done by renewable sources.
2. Biomass is readily available including organic matter from food scraps and animal tissues; left over garbage of raw woods and plants.
3. Bioplastics are easily recycled with minimal energy requirement as compared to non biodegradable plastics.
About Author / Additional Info:
*Corresponding author:
Dr. Kirti Rani Sharma,
Assistant Professor (II),
Amity Institute of Biotechnology,
Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida
Sec-125, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Noida-201303 (UP), India.
Email ID: krsharma@amity.edu, Kirtisharma2k@rediffmail.com