Lipase-catalyzed reaction of molecularly pure linear and cyclic poly(3-hydroxybutanoate)s: Evidence of cyclic polymer formation

Molecularly pure linear and cyclic poly(3-hydroxybutanoate) [P(3HB)] polymer species were subjected to hydrolysis, transesterification and intramolecular esterification by lipase to produce two series of linear and cyclic polymer structures having higher and lower molecular weights. It was found that a cyclic polymer was produced by the lipase-catalyzed reaction of the polymer chain.