Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoates as Advanced Antimicrobial Biomaterials: A Review

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a class of biodegradable polyesters synthesized by microorganisms, have emerged as a key platform for advanced antimicrobial biomedicine. Distinguished by their exceptional biocompatibility, tunable degradation kinetics and versatile material properties, PHA offer a sustainable, functional alternative to conventional polymers. Furthermore, specific PHA materials exhibit inherent antimicrobial properties, opening new avenues for the developing eco-efficient medical materials. This review systematically outlines the multifaceted antibacterial mechanisms of PHA, including their intrinsic structure-activity relationships, the bioactive roles of their degradation products, and their effectiveness as carriers for engineered antimicrobial agents. Recent advances in PHA-based applications are also critically summarized, with a focus on wound dressings, surgical sutures, orthopaedical implants, and targeted drug delivery systems. The therapeutic performance of these applications in infection control and tissue repair is also highlighted. Finally, this paper discusses the current challenges to translation and propose strategic research directions, aiming to chart a developmental roadmap for the next generation of intelligent, PHA-based, antimicrobial solutions.