Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (Mw: 300-1000 kDa)

Catalog	BBC0025
Description	It is a product made by utilizing synthetic biology, and the product itself has many excellent properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, optical activity, piezoelectricity, gas phase separation, and so on, which is in line with the green low-carbon and environmental protection standards.
Molecular Weight	300-1000 kDa
Molecular Formula	(C4H6O2)nH2O
Purity	>97%
Appearance	White powder
Aggregation Method	Homopolymer
PHA Types	P(3HB)

Case Study

Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) Used for Soil Amendment and Carbon Enrichment in Sustainable Agriculture

Brtnicky, Martin, et al. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 295 (2025): 118131.

Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), a biodegradable biopolymer synthesized by soil bacteria, has shown significant potential as a soil amendment for sustainable agriculture. This study assessed the impact of P3HB application on soil biochemical properties and maize (Zea mays) growth across five concentration levels (0-10% w/w) in both planted and unplanted soils.
P3HB addition resulted in several beneficial changes to soil quality. In unplanted soils, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) increased by up to 500%, and total carbon nearly doubled at the 10% P3HB rate. Biodegradation of P3HB led to enhanced enzymatic activities, particularly arylsulfatase (+80%) and urease (+200%), which are critical for sulfur and nitrogen cycling. However, the biopolymer also reduced soil pH, indicating slight acidification, and negatively affected the activities of β-glucosidase and phosphatase
In planted systems, maize growth was adversely affected at higher P3HB concentrations due to nutrient competition among plant roots, rhizosphere microbes, and P3HB-degrading organisms. Above-ground biomass declined from 5.6 g per plant (control) to 0.5 g at 1% P3HB, indicating impaired nutrient uptake.
These findings demonstrate that while P3HB effectively improves soil microbial activity and organic carbon levels, its application must be optimized to avoid unintended suppression of crop productivity. This study underscores P3HB's dual role as a biodegradable soil conditioner and microbial carbon storage polymer, offering a promising but nuanced tool for sustainable land management.

Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) Used for the Preparation of Folic Acid-Grafted Nanoparticles for Targeted Paclitaxel Delivery

Aslam, Aqsa, et al. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 710 (2025): 136141.

Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester, has been successfully utilized for the synthesis of folic acid-grafted amphiphilic nanoparticles aimed at enhancing the targeted delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) in cancer therapy. In this study, PHB was chemically modified by grafting with folic acid (FA), forming FA/PHB, which was subsequently co-formulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to prepare amphiphilic FPP nanoparticles via nanoprecipitation.
The resulting FPPPT (drug-loaded) nanoparticles exhibited high encapsulation efficiency (78.76 ± 1.7%) and a pH-sensitive PTX release profile, with 78.5% release at pH 4 and 65% at pH 7.4 over 72 h. These nanoparticles maintained structural integrity under varying physiological conditions and demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, showing no cytotoxicity in Caco-2 and MCF-7 cell lines in their blank form.
Compared to free PTX, FPPPT nanoparticles significantly enhanced intracellular uptake and cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells, with a 9.45-fold increase in apoptosis and 2.34-fold elevation in G2/M phase arrest. The folate-functionalization enabled active targeting of cancer cells overexpressing folate receptors, improving therapeutic precision.
This case underscores PHB's versatility as a nanocarrier matrix for controlled, targeted chemotherapeutic delivery, positioning it as a promising material for the development of advanced drug delivery systems in oncology.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) Used for the Preparation of Biodegradable Food Packaging Films Enhanced with Grapeseed Oil and MgO Nanoparticles

Kumari, Satti Venu Gopala, Kannan Pakshirajan, and G. Pugazhenthi. Bioresource Technology 409 (2024): 131238.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a bio-based and biodegradable polymer, was employed for the preparation of eco-friendly food packaging films with enhanced degradation profiles. A novel PHB-based composite film-PHB/5GS/0.7MgO-was synthesized via a sonication-assisted solution casting method, incorporating 5 wt% grapeseed oil (GS) as a plasticizer and 0.7 wt% magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles to improve material functionality
The biodegradation behavior of the composite was evaluated in both soil and river water environments. All PHB-based films-including neat PHB and PHB/5GS-demonstrated complete degradation in soil within 25 days. However, degradation in river water was comparatively slower, with weight losses of 27%, 24%, and 20% for PHB, PHB/5GS, and PHB/5GS/0.7MgO, respectively, over 120 days. Molecular characterization during degradation revealed a reduction in average molecular weight and carbonyl index, along with increased crystallinity and opacity, indicating progressive polymer breakdown.
The integration of MgO nanoparticles via a green microwave-assisted synthesis method further contributed to the structural properties and performance of the films. These findings underscore the potential of PHB composites in sustainable food packaging applications, particularly in terrestrial environments, where rapid biodegradation is critical for environmental safety.
This study highlights PHB's versatility as a matrix material for the development of high-performance, biodegradable packaging solutions with tunable degradation kinetics.