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Table 3 Thermal degradation rate constants ( k D ) of various PHB samples at 170°C and thermal degradation rate constants relative to the commercial PHB reference ( k D,ref ) as a function of chemical treatment, purification method and purity

From: Feasibility study of an alkaline-based chemical treatment for the purification of polyhydroxybutyrate produced by a mixed enriched culture

Sample

Chemical treatment

PHB purity [wt.%]

k D 10 −6 [1/s]

k D /k D,ref 10 −6 [1/s]

Commercial PHB

-

99

0.18 ± 0.02*

1.0

0.2 M NaOH

99

1.40 ± 0.10

8.0

0.2% SDS

99

0.80 ± 0.10

4.0

PHB from biomass

-

67

5.40 ± 0.80

30.0

Solvent

99

0.08 ± 0.01

0.4

0.2 M NaOH

85

54.00 ± 5.00

300.0

0.2 M NaOH + 0.2% SDS

95

29.00 ± 2.00

161.0

  1. *k D of dried commercial PHB was used as a reference (k D,ref ).
  2. Water content in all samples was in between 0.01 – 0.02 wt%.