Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Polymers from Nature for Nature: Structure, Synthesis, and Applications
DOI:
10.29303/jpm.v21i5.12089Published:
2026-10-06Downloads
Abstract
Excessive accumulation of plastic waste is an unresolved global environmental problem. A solution that can be applied and has the potential to overcome this issue is the use of natural polymer materials, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). PHA has good physicochemical properties and characteristics similar to those of conventional plastics, making it a viable alternative plastic matrix. The application of PHA serves as a composite and can decompose plastic waste, a major problem today. The structure, synthesis, and applications of various PHA fields will be discussed in this review, which includes previous research reviews. PHA is biodegradable because it is processed by microorganisms. PHA can be synthesised from various microorganisms and carbon sources. The application of PHA also plays a role in the pharmaceutical and biofuel fields. This review makes a significant contribution to the development of polymer applications that support the global transition towards clean and environmentally friendly energy. This review employed a systematic literature review (SLR) approach following the PRISMA framework and PICOS criteria. Of 280 records identified in the Scopus database for the 2020-2024 period, nine experimental articles met the eligibility criteria and were analyzed using structured data extraction and narrative synthesis. The synthesis indicates that PHA properties are influenced by monomer chain length and composition, while production performance depends on the microorganism, carbon source, cultivation conditions, and polymer recovery method. The selected studies demonstrate potential applications in biodegradable packaging, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and waste valorization; however, industrial implementation remains constrained by production costs, scale-up requirements, and limited life-cycle evidence. Thus, this review contributes an integrated assessment of the relationship between PHA structure, synthesis strategy, and application potential, while identifying process optimization and industrial-scale validation as key research priorities.
Keywords:
Applications Microorganisms Plastic Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) PolymersReferences
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