Amphiphiles from Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates)

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are biodegradable and biocompatible microbially produced natural polyesters. However, their hydrophobic character is a disadvantage for the direct use of these polyesters. The key to biocompatibility of biomedical implantable materials is to alter their surface in a way that minimizes hydrophobic interaction with the surrounding tissue. Therefore, hydrophilic groups have been introduced into PHA in order to obtain amphiphilic polymers. This chapter has focused on the chemically modified PHA with enhanced hydrophilic character as biomaterials for medical applications.