{
  "id": 7796985,
  "title": "Microbes can produce adhesive materials from glucose instead of petroleum",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/microbes-can-produce-adhesive-materials-from-glucose-instead-of",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-16T13:40:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-microbes-adhesive-materials-glucose-petroleum.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KAIST researchers have shown that microbes can be used to create a bio-based alternative to petroleum-based materials for hot-melt adhesives (HMAs). Hot-melt adhesives are heat-activated glues used in various industries, including packaging, furniture, electronics, and automobiles. The KAIST team engineered Escherichia coli to produce new polymeric materials from glucose, demonstrating adhesive performance and thermal properties suitable for HMA applications. This research, published in Nature Communications, utilized systems metabolic engineering to re-engineer E. coli's metabolic pathways, enabling it to produce two new adhesive materials, poly(4HB-co-PhLA) and poly(3HB-co-4HB-co-PhLA), both belonging to the PHA family of biodegradable polymers. The researchers found that polymers containing approximately 24-34 mol% 4HB exhibited excellent adhesive performance. They also confirmed that these polymers could be used as hot-melt adhesives, demonstrating adhesive strength comparable to commercial EVA adhesives and retaining adhesive strength after repeated melting and rebonding. Moreover, the newly developed aromatic PHA showed potential for enzyme degradation, indicating its eco-friendly nature. This study highlights the potential of metabolic engineering in producing functional materials with tunable properties for various applications, paving the way for sustainable biomanufacturing technologies using renewable feedstocks like glucose.",
  "summary": "KAIST researchers have demonstrated the potential of using microorganisms to produce a bio-based alternative to petroleum-derived materials for hot-melt adhesives (HMAs). These heat-activated glues are widely used in packaging, furniture, electronics and automobiles. Using Escherichia coli, the team produced a new polymer from glucose and demonstrated adhesive performance and thermal properties…",
  "key_points": [
    "KAIST engineers microbes to produce bio-based hot-melt adhesives from glucose",
    "Researchers create poly(4HB-co-PhLA) and poly(3HB-co-4HB-co-PhLA) polymers",
    "Developed adhesives show comparable strength to commercial EVA adhesives"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}