{"id":93741,"date":"2021-08-13T07:23:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-13T05:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=93741"},"modified":"2021-08-09T12:37:12","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T10:37:12","slug":"bioplastics-production-offers-opportunities-for-pharmaceutical-applications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/bioplastics-production-offers-opportunities-for-pharmaceutical-applications\/","title":{"rendered":"Bioplastics production offers opportunities for pharmaceutical applications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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The BERNN project follows the concept of the\u00a0New Plastics Economy<\/a>. According to this thinking, plastic need never be waste: it always returns to the plastic cycle to produce products and chemicals. In this way, plastics retain their value, or (in the case of upcycling) are even upgraded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circular Biopolymers Value Chains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the project Circular Biopolymers Value Chains, research is done on biopolymers and in this specific case on polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). PHA has the potential to become the most sustainable bioplastic. It is a biopolymer that occurs naturally in the cells of bacteria, and can be made from natural residual streams (such as fruit and vegetable residues and waste water). In addition, PHA is fully biodegradable; it is broken down by micro-organisms into CO2 and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacteria make these PHAs for energy storage. When a food source (consisting of biodegradable compounds such as sugars and fats) is available in abundance, the bacteria produce PHAs and store them in their cells. At times of food shortage, they still have a carbon and energy source to survive and grow with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what does this mean for pharmaceutical applications? What do bioplastics have to do with health? To explain this, some background information about our brain is needed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our body and ketosis bodies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Normally, our bodies and brains get energy from food. Our food is converted into glucose, which in turn is converted into ATP (energy), CO2 and water in the mitochondria of our cells. When there is no food source present (for example when we are fasting or exercising) the brain has to use alternative methods. Ketone bodies (KB) or ketone bodies serve as the brain\u2019s main alternative fuel when glucose is not available. When glucose levels are too low, cells convert fats in the body (through a process called ketogenesis) to ketone bodies such as d-\u03b2-hydroxybutyrate (d-3HB) and acetoacetate. These can cross the blood-brain barrier and provide important energy for the brain. The body is in a state of ketosis during this process. One speaks of ketosis when the concentration of ketones in the blood is higher than 0.5 mmol\/l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health benefits and treatment of diseases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These terms will be familiar to some. There is a lot of hype around the concept of ketosis in health and fitness circles. For example, extremely low-carb diets are seen as the ultimate diet for a fit and trained body. Although opinions on the ketogenic diet as a lifestyle are divided, there is much evidence of the positive effects of ketosis for people with metabolic diseases. For example, a ketogenic diet (such as the Modified Atkins Diet<\/a>) is used for patients with epilepsy to reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also potential benefits for diseases such as Alzheimer\u2019s, heart disease, Parkinsons, Huntingtons and MADD, a metabolic disease in which the mitochondria cannot convert fats and proteins into energy. This disease is extremely dangerous, especially in young children, and can cause problems in the brain, liver and kidneys. It is suggested that the metabolic processes of ketosis may help to treat this disease. However, fasting or an extreme diet is not always an option; for example, people with MADD must eat every 2-3 hours to avoid low blood sugar, take in fluids high in glucose, and sometimes receive carbohydrates through a tube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The alternative is to activate the ketosis state artificially, for example with supplements. An example of such a supplement is MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides). This is often sold as an oil, and also in supplements such as Axona (for Alzheimer\u2019s patients). MCTs are not ketone bodies, but are converted to them in the body. This increases ketone levels without the need for carbohydrate restriction, as these fats are quickly used for energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, there are supplements with exogenous ketones:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n