Metabolix, Inc.

Luhua Zhong

Robert S Whitehouse

Joseph Pugach

Johan Van Walsem

Edward M Muller

Simon S Shih

James J Barber

Sean K Daughtry

David P Martin

Simon F Williams

Oliver P Peoples

Sean Daughtry

A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.

Polymer extraction methods

Polymer extraction methods are disclosed.

Methods of forming intermediates from PHAs are disclosed.

Methods of making intermediates from polyhydroxyalkanoates

Methods of forming acrylic acid by heating a PHA are disclosed. The PHA can be derived from a biomass of a non-fossil source. The PHA can be, for example, poly 3-hydroxypropionate or a 3-hydroxypropionate containing polymer. The methods can include, for example, heating the PHA to a temperature of at least about 100&#xb0; C. to form acrylic acid.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate compositions including hot melt adhesive compositions, biodegradable wax compositions, and protective coating compositions are provided and include a low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate, a terminally-modified polyhydroxyalkanoate, or both. The compositions are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Methods of protecting an article, such as a food product like cheese, are also provided and include coating or encapsulating the article with a composition containing a low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate, a terminally-modified polyhydroxyalkanoate, or both.

Compositions comprising low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoates and methods employing same

In some embodiments, this invention relates to a method that includes contacting a PHA with an aprotic catalyst to form an ester. The ester has only one monomer unit from the PHA. In certain embodiments, this invention relates to a method that includes treating a PHA-containing non-lyophilized biomass to form an ester, and removing at least some of the ester from the biomass.

Methods of forming acrylic acid from a PHA, such as, for example, poly 3-hydroxypropionate or a 3-hydroxypropionate containing polymer are disclosed. The methods can include, for example, heating a biomass containing the PHA to form acrylic acid. The methods can include, for example, heating the PHA to a temperature of at least about 200&#xb0; C. to form acrylic acid. The methods can include for example, heating a mixture containing a first portion of the PHA to form a first portion of acrylic acid, and then adding a second portion of the PHA to the mixture.

Methods of forming intermediates from PHAs are disclosed. In general, the methods include forming a pyrrolidone from a PHA, such as poly 4-hydroxybutyrate or a 4-hydroxybutyrate containing polymer. The methods can include, for example, treating (e.g., heating) the PHA to form a pyrrolidone. The methods can include, for example, treating a biomass containing the PHA to form a pyrrolidone. The methods can include, for example, heating the PHA to a temperature of at most about 90&#xb0; C. to form a pyrrolidone, wherein the percent yield of the pyrrolidone is at least about 50%.

Molding compositions including low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided. The use of the low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoates as a binder in molding compositions provides improved binder removal in the finished molded product, and offers a wide range of physical properties suitable for use in a variety of processing conditions. The composition preferably includes a powdered material, such as a metal powder, ceramic powder, or blend, admixed with a low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate binder. The compositions are useful in powder processing techniques, such as injection molding, slip casting, tape casting, or extrusion. Methods of forming low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoates are also described.

Low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate molding compositions

A polyurethane is described which is a reaction product of at least one isocyanate containing material having at least two isocyanate groups and at least one compound having at least two hydrogen atoms capable of reacting with the isocyanate. The compound having the at least two hydrogen atoms contains a hydroxyalkanoate, which is preferably a thermally decomposable or a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate. The polyurethane of the present invention can be used in a number of applications and preferably has improved properties such as, but not limited to, improved flexibility and/or improved hydrophobicity. The polyurethanes of the present invention are preferably biodegradable and easily recycled.

Polyurethanes obtained from hydroxyalkanoates and isocyanates

Nutritional or therapeutic compositions are provided for increasing ketone body levels in the blood of mammals by providing a source of ketone bodies in the form of linear or cyclic oligomers and/or derivatives of 3-hydroxyacids. The 3-hydroxyacid can be in the form of a linear oligomer of 3-hydroxyacids other than linear homo-oligomers of 3-hydroxybutyric acid if administered in combination with acetoacetate, cyclic oligomers of 3-hydroxyacids, esters of the linear or cyclic oligomers, esters of 3-hydroxyacids other than 3-hydroxybutyric acid, and combinations thereof. An oligomer generally refers to a polymer of three or more hydroxyacids. Preferred 3-hydroxyacids include 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and 3-hydroxyheptanoate. Oligomers of odd-carbon number 3-hydroxyacids such as 3-hydroxyvalerate have advantages since they have a higher energy content than oligomers of 3-hydroxyacids having an even-number of carbons. The cyclic oligomers have advantageous properties since they result in a sustained, and/or controlled, ketone blood level over a period of hours. The compositions can be administered orally, for example, as a nutritional or dietary supplement, or intravenously. Increasing blood ketone levels is useful for seizure control, metabolic disease control, reduction of protein catabolism, appetite suppression, parenteral nutrition, increasing cardiac efficiency, treatment of diabetes and insulin resistant states, and treatment of effects of neurodegenerative disorders and epilepsy.

Growing community of inventors

Woburn, MA, United States of America

Luhua Zhong