Although plants aren’t PHB producers, PHB genes carrier plants can produce PHB and so they are potential organisms to produce cheaper PHB.

Studies showed that transgenic plants can produce PHB 20-40 % of their dry mass. It is known that bioplastic synthesis occurs in plant cytoplasm, plastid or peroxisome. Researches found that transgenic plants give up starch production when they start to produce PHB. They use all their energy to produce polymer.

PHB genes isolated from Alcaligenes eutrophus translated to corn, potato, and some other plants. These plants could produce polymer and Imperial Chemical Company obtained 50 tons PHB-HV co-polymer.

Researches still search to produce PHA, which is degradable plastic,  from sunflower and soybean.  They reported that corn must be harvested at early stage to obtain plastic. PHA gain from modified corn is very hard and difficult process but carbon dioxide and sun-shine is used as a carbon and energy source and  there is not more to do than fermentation process.

Studies show that cheaper PHB can be obtained from transgenic plants, big probably “plastic potatoes“ will be grown in the future.

• Usage Areas Of PHB (Bioplastic)
• Bioplastic: Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate (PHB) And Its Importance