New, cheaper route to P3HB identified

In Colorado, chemists at Colorado State University have chemically synthesized bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) from biobased succinate—a route that could be cheaper than fermentation-based synthesis of P3HB.

Usually produced by bacteria or other microorganisms, P3HB’s high production costs limit its use in many commodity applications. A new route would open up larger-scale applications.

The team was led by Xiaoyan Tang. A provisional patent application through CSU Ventures has been submitted.