No description available.

A PHA producing bacterium (strain QN271) was selected from mangrove soil samples collected from Quang Ninh province by using the Nile red dying technique. PHA accumulation in the selected bacterium strain was confirmed by transmission electron microscope. With the exception of maltose or sucrose, the bacterium strain was found to be able to synthesize PHA from various carbon sources (glucose, xylose, fructose, glycerol, and glucose plus propionate). The strain accumulated poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) from glucose, fructose, xylose, and glycerol whereas poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalarate) was produced when a combination of glucose and propionate was included in the culture medium. Fructose was found to be most suitable substrate for PHA synthesis by strain QN271. PHA content of 63.3% and CDW of 6 g/L were obtained after 32 hrs of cultivation in fructose medium. / Chủng vi khuẩn có khả năng sinh tổng hợp PHA đã được phân lập từ đất rừng ngập mặn tỉnh Quảng Ninh nhờ kỹ thuật nhuộm với Nile red. Ảnh quan sát dưới kính hiển vi điện tử dẫn truyền chứng tỏ rằng chủng vi khuẩn này có khả năng tích lũy lượng lớn PHA trong tế bào. Chủng vi khuẩn tuyển chọn có khả năng sinh tổng hợp PHA từ nhiều nguồn các bon khác nhau như glucose, xylose, fructose, glucerol, glucose và propionate nhưng không có khả năng tổng hợp PHA từ maltose hoặc saccharose. Chủng vi khuẩn tuyển chọn tổng hợp poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) từ các nguồn các-bon như glucose, xylose, fructose, hay glycerol, trong khi đó poly (3-hydroxybutyrateco- 3-hydroxyvalarate) sẽ được tổng hợp khi phối hợp sử dụng hai nguồn các-bon (glucose và propionate). Fructose là nguồn các-bon tốt nhất cho chủng QN271 sinh tổng hợp PHA, khi nuôi cấy trong môi trường có fructose chủng vi khuẩn này có thể tạo ra lượng sinh khối là 6 g/L trong đó có chứa 63.3% PHA sau 32 giờ.

No description available.

No description available.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Age is a primary risk factor for the development of CVD and middle-age is a vulnerable period where risk factors for the disease begin to exceed diagnostic thresholds. Interest has increased for the use of low carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) ketogenic diets due to their reported improvements for cardiometabolic health. Supplementation with exogenous ketone esters (KE) has been shown to increase plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and mimic the metabolic effects of LCHF ketogenic diets. Evidence suggests elevated concentrations of plasma BHB may lower blood pressure, improve vascular function, attenuate hyperglycemic responses, and enhance cognitive function. The majority of research has been conducted in preclinical models, and whether exogenous KE supplementation has similar improvements in humans of any ages remains relatively unanswered. To address this we conducted a randomized, placebo controlled, crossover design study in healthy, sedentary, middle to older aged adults who received the exogenous KE (or placebo), and consumed the supplement for 2-weeks (3x/day, 15 minutes prior to each meal; breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Our first hypothesis was to test that KE supplementation would improve vascular function by increasing flow-mediated dilation, reducing arterial stiffness, and lowering blood pressure. Secondly, we hypothesized that KE supplementation would attenuate the glycemic response to an oral glucose tolerance test, improve glycemic variability, and show reductions in postprandial glucose levels. Thirdly, we tested the hypothesis that KE supplementation would improve cognitive performance by showing improvements in processing speed, memory, attention control, and executive functions. In support of our first hypotheses, KE supplementation increased flow-mediated dilation (8.1 ± 1.3 vs. 7.7 ± 1.2%, p = 0.023), but it did not show any difference in arterial stiffness or blood pressure. In contrast to our second hypotheses, following the KE supplementation intervention there were no significant difference from the placebo in terms of glycemic response, variability or mean 2-hour post-meal glucose. In support of our third hypotheses, we found a significant improvement in measures of working memory (7.55 ± 0.93 vs. 7.27 ± 0.29, p = 0.026) and inhibitory control (80 ± 38 vs. 87 ± 32ms, p = 0.035) following the 14-day KE supplementation. More research is needed to elucidate the effects of KE on cardiometabolic health and cognition. / Doctor of Philosophy / Recently there has been an increase in the popularity of low carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) ketogenic diets, with advocates for the diet claiming increased benefits in weight loss and blood glucose control, therefore leading to an increased interest for its use in the treatment for cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. As more evidence has accumulated much of the impact LCHF ketogenic diets are said to have, has been attributed to a state known as nutritional ketosis, which occurs in response to the restriction of carbohydrates from the diet. Ketone esters (KE) have been shown to effectively elevate ketone bodies (alternative energy produced by the body during times when glucose stores are low) without the need of altering one's own diet, however, this method of inducing ketosis is still lacking evidence for its impact on cardiometabolic health in humans. The purpose of these studies is to determine the effect of having sustained elevations of ketone bodies on our health and cognition in humans. Study 1 included healthy, sedentary middle to older aged adults who consumed a KE for 2-weeks (3x/day, prior to each meal) and a placebo. Following supplementation participants completed test to assess our vascular health and blood sugar control. Study 2 included healthy, sedentary middle to older aged adults who consumed a KE for the same 2-weeks (3x/day, prior to each meal) and a placebo. Participants underwent a series of tests to assess cognitive performance. Overall, after a 2-week supplementation period we found significant improvements in our blood vessel function and with cognitive performance where we saw improvements in working memory, and inhibitory control.

Dans un contexte du développement durable, de nouvelles architectures macromoléculaires biosourcées ont été synthétisées à partir de synthons (diacides et diols) pouvant être obtenus par voies fermentaires à partir de sources carbonées issues de la biomasse. Dans un premier temps, différents copolyesters aliphatiques ont été synthétisés en masse, à l’aide d’un catalyseur organométallique à base de titane, à partir de diacides (acides succinique et adipique) et de diols (1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol et 2,3-butanediol) courts. Dans un deuxième temps, des architectures macromoléculaires similaires ont été obtenues par catalyse enzymatique en solution à l’aide de la lipase B de Candida antarctica. L’influence de la longueur et de la structure des monomères sur leur réactivité en présence de la lipase a été particulièrement étudiée. Dans un troisième et dernier temps, des architectures macromoléculaires à base d’oligomères hydroxytéléchéliques d’un polyester bactérien : le poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)tels que des poly(ester-éther-uréthane)s et des copolyesters ont été obtenues soit par couplage de chaîne à l’aide d’un diisocyanate, ou par transestérification organométallique et enzymatique. Ces études ont permis d’analyser en détail l’effet de l’addition des synthons biosourcés dans les architectures macromoléculaires et notamment sur la structure cristalline, la stabilité thermique et les propriétés thermiques et optiques de ces polymères. De plus, le grand potentiel de la catalyse enzymatique pour la synthèse de polyesters et celui de l’utilisation d’oligomères de PHB pour l’élaboration de nouveaux matériaux performants ont pu être largement démontrés. / In the context of sustainable development, new biobased and aliphatic macromolecular architectures were synthesized from building blocks that can be obtained by fermentation routes using carbon sources from the biomass. First, several aliphatic copolyesters were synthesized in bulk from short dicarboxylic acids (such as succinic and adipic acids) and diols (such as 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol and 2,3-butanediol) by organometallic catalysis using an effective titanium-based catalyst. In a second time, similar macromolecular architectures were synthesized by an enzymatic process in solution using Candida antarctica lipase B as catalyst. The influence of the alkyl chain length and the structure of monomers on their reactivity toward the lipase were particularly discussed. In the third and last part, new macromolecular architectures based on hydroxytelechelic oligomers of a bacterial polyester: poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), such as poly(ester-ether-urethane)s and copolyesters, were obtained by either chain-coupling using a diisocyanate, or organometallic and enzymatic transesterification, respectively.These studies permitted to determine a close relationship between the effect of the building blocks structure integrated in the final macromolecular architectures and the intrinsic properties, such as the crystalline structure, the thermal stability and the thermal and optical properties, of these polymers. In addition, the great potential of the lipase-catalyzed synthesis of polyesters and the use of PHB oligomers for developing new high performance materials has been clearly established.

Les copolymères à blocs amphiphiles s’auto-assemblent en solution aqueuse grâce à l’association de leurs segments hydrophobes. Les nanoparticules formées à partir de copolymères biocompatibles et biodégradables tels que les poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) sont particulièrement attractives pour la conception de systèmes à libération prolongée de principes actifs. La relation entre la composition/structure chimique du copolymère, ses propriétés d’auto-assemblage et ses effets sur les cellules in-vitro doit être étudiée. Des copolymères à blocs poly(acide malique)-b-poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PMLA-b-PHB), PMLA-b-PHB-b-PMLA et poly(triméthylène carbonate)-b-poly(acide-malique) (PTMC-b-PMLA) ont été synthétisés par polymérisation par ouverture cycle (ROP) des monomères correspondants, suivie d’une hydrogénolyse. Une gamme de copolymères bien définis, caractérisés par spectroscopie RMN 1H, 13C{1H}, HSQC, HMBC, et DOSY, par analyses SEC, DSC, TGA, et mesure des angles de contact, présentant des balances hydrophile/hydrophobe modulables, a été obtenue grâce au control précis de la fraction hydrophile f (11-82%). Des auto-assemblages modulables ont été formés par nanoprécipitation des copolymères en l’absence d’agent tensio-actif. De larges agrégats ainsi que des micelles cœur-couronne (Rh = 16-335 nm) ont été obtenus en fonction du copolymère utilisé (dibloc vs. tribloc). Des micelles stables pendant 10 jours à 37 °C en solution aqueuse ont été obtenues pour les copolymères avec f allant jusqu’à 50%. Les copolymères PMLA-b-PHB et PTMC-b-PMLA n’ont pas révélé de toxicité aigüe in-vitro. De plus, l’utilisation du PHB a avantageusement permis de diminuer la captation des nano-objets par les macrophages et d’augmenter la captation par les cellules hépatiques. / Amphiphilic block copolymers are able to form self-assembled systems in aqueous solution by association of their hydrophobic segments. Nanoparticles formed from biodegradable and biocompatible polymers such as poly(hydroxyalkanoate) copolymers are particularly attractive for drug delivery applications. The relationship between the chemical structure/composition of the macromolecule, its self-assembly properties and its effect on cells in-vitro has to be studied.The synthesis of poly(-malic acid)-b-poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PMLA-b-PHB), PMLA-b-PHB-b-PMLA, and poly(trimethylene carbonate)-b-poly(-malic acid) (PTMC-b-PMLA) was established through the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the corresponding monomers followed by hydrogenolysis. A range of well-defined copolymers characterized by 1H, 13C{1H}, HSQC, HMBC, DOSY NMR spectroscopy, SEC, DSC, TGA, contact angle analyses, with tunable hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance were thus obtained through the precise control of the hydrophilic weight fraction f (11-82%). Tunable self-assembled systems were obtained by nanoprecipitation of the amphiphilic PHA-based copolymers without the use of a surfactant. Large aggregates and core-shell micelles (Rh = 16-335nm) were obtained depending on the polymer topology. PHB-based copolymers with f up to 50% formed highly stable micelles at 37 °C over a period of 10 days in aqueous solution. PMLA-b-PHB as well as PTMC-b-PMLA copolymers revealed no acute in-vitro cytotoxicity. The use of PHB as hydrophobic segment enabled to minimize the non-specific scavenging by macrophages cells while the cellular uptake by hepatocytes was favored.

Alternative bone repair strategies are frequently sought after in orthopaedic surgery to address the growing need for improved morbidity and healing rates. This thesis sought to initiate and validate such an alternative, harnessing the flexible nature of a biomaterial substrate and the unique potential of glycosaminoglycan sugars. A novel, biodegradable biomaterial polymer, PHBV, has previously been identified to have the potential to mimic the characteristics of bone necessary for tissue repair and in this study, it was hypothesized that PHBV would be able to support bone formation. When tested in vitro, PHBV was found to support osteoblast cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation, despite its rougher, more hydrophobic surface characteristics compared to tissue culture plastic (TCP). However, unlike the progression of cells on TCP, PHBV caused a developmental delay at each stage of osteogenesis, suggesting a sub-optimal cell-substrate interaction. The expression profiles of genes involved in the maintenance of the extracellular matrix were monitored to investigate this phenomenon further. The results suggested that cells cultured on PHBV appeared to preference 7 against a collagen-based ECM and, instead, trigger an increase in the expression of other factors, such as osteopontin, presumably to modify the biomaterial microenvironment to optimise continued growth and differentiation. This finding led to the next hypothesis that functionalisation of PHBV with suitable compounds could optimise and enhance the osteogenic development at the implant site by facilitating the desired and appropriate cell-substrate interactions. Non-protein factors are often preferred for functionalisation to material scaffolds over proteins, as they are relatively robust and can survive many of the processes used in the manufacture of biomaterials. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) sugars were appropriate candidates for this purpose, as they are not only abundantly expressed in bone, but more importantly, they are capable of binding and facilitating the activity of growth factors. Furthermore, they are resistant to several environmental influences including changes in pH, heat and desiccation. To identify a GAG that could be integrated with PHBV or any other biomaterial substrate, GAGs were extracted from phenotypically-distinct stages of MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. These GAGs were identified to display gross structural differences, as well as differences in the enzymes synthesising them, between immature and mature osteoblastic cells, with the increased production of a larger GAG species observed as the cells differentiated. Unexpectedly, however, when these GAGs were subsequently dosed back into the media of growing MG-63 cells, their bioactivity did not match the stage at which they had been harvested: all GAG species were able to influence cell survival and growth to varying degrees but were not capable of affecting cell differentiation. However, if these same GAGs were exposed to cells by first being attached to the growth substrate, they induced varying degrees of aggregation in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), with more mature GAGs producing the most profound effects. Interestingly, a similar phenomenon was not observed when MG-63 cells where cultured in a similar manner. A direct correlation between the GAGs expressed by osteoblasts and the specific cellular processes they functionally influence has yet to be identified. While the experiments presented here demonstrate an effect of GAGs in osteoblastic cell survival, a role for GAGs in the progression of bone formation was not revealed. Loss-of-function studies were therefore necessary to determine the role of GAGs in bone, but this was hampered by the limited availability of procedures that allow the alteration of GAGs and the subsequent detection of these effects. Therefore, a tool to screen the efficacy of a loss of GAG function was developed. TAT-EGFP, a purpose-designed fluorescent GAG-binding peptide, was able to confirm that treatment with sodium chlorate was an effective 8 strategy to hinder GAG expression in MG-63 cells with minimal cytotoxicity to the cells. Following more extensive studies with chlorate treatment, it was found that a recoverable disruption to both proliferation and mineralisation could be induced in MG-63 cells. This suggested a role for GAGs in osteogenesis. A series of experiments then carried out following gene expression microarray analysis indicated that GAG de-sulfation by chlorate gives rise to an S-phase block in the cell cycle and a disruption to the actin cytoskeleton, which appeared to be associated with a change in the activity of cell-surface proteoglycans, most likely syndecan 4. It was also found that cells up-regulated plasma membrane ALP activity and cholesterol synthesis, presumably in an attempt to recover from a chlorate-induced loss in GAG function. Cholesterol is known to be important in establishing connections between membrane elements and the actin cytoskeleton, and its up-regulation here may reflect dysfunctions in these units and a dysfunction in syndecan 4 activity. With further confirmation, this would suggest that syndecan 4 plays a pivotal role in maintaining osteogenesis, in at least MG-63 cells, and that sulfated GAGs function principally to facilitate this role. The effective use of GAGs in bone repair strategies will require further understanding of GAG/syndecan 4/osteogenesis relationship.

This thesis is inspired by a persistent limitation in the use of composite biomaterials for orthopaedic applications, namely the agglomeration of reinforcing particles in these composites, which has resulted in poor mechanical properties. The use of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles to produce biodegradable nanocomposites is investigated. More specifically, the thesis investigates different methods of composite processing, and interfacial modifying agents and the effect that these have on the nano- and micro- scale structure of composites and their mechanical properties. PHBV and HA were chosen because PHBV is a biodegradable/biocompatible polymer and it has a relatively high stiffness when compared to other biodegradable polymers frequently used in orthopaedic applications. HA is chemically similar to ceramic phase found in bones and hard tissues and the inclusion of HA into biomedical materials has been shown to enhance the rate of osteoconduction. HA/PHBV composites were produced using different dispersing agents including poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), a model dispersing agent, polyethyleneimine (PEI) which allowed for the development of a single solvent system for composite preparation, and heparin (Hep), a macromolecule which is produced in vivo. Additionally, HA/PAA/PHBV composites were prepared from both sonicated and non-sonicated HA/PAA suspensions up to approximately 17% by weight (wt %) of HA content. Attempts to prepare composites with higher HA loadings led to inhomogeneous composite mixtures, which were caused by the dual solvent system used for the composite preparation. The HA/PEI/PHBV and HA/Hep/PHBV composites were produced up to approximately 75 wt % of HA content. It was found that the HA/PEI/PHBV and HA/Hep/PHBV composites could be prepared at higher loadings than HA/PAA/PHBV composites due to the single solvent system used for the preparation of the HA/PEI/PHBV composites and the better dispersion of HA/Hep particles in precursor suspensions. Finally, selected HA/PEI/PHBV composites were further processed using a twin screw extruder. All of the composites were characterised in terms of their dispersion levels as well as their compressive mechanical properties. In addition, HA/PEI/PHBV composite reinforced with 20 wt % of HA content was also tested for its mechanical properties using three different test types; compression, three-point bending, and tensile tests. Finally, the HA/PAA/PHBV, HA/PEI/PHBV, and HA/Hep/PHBV composites were tested their compressive mechanical properties in wet state. It was found that the sonicated HA/PAA suspensions in general had better colloidal stability than non-sonicated ones and that this yielded composites with superior compressive moduli than those prepared from non-sonicated suspensions. In addition, the better dispersion of the particles in the composites prepared from the sonicated suspensions, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images, led to higher percentage crystallinities when compared to the composites prepared from non-sonicated suspensions. It is likely that the greater number of individual HA particles and smaller HA agglomerates observed in the composites prepared from sonication treatment are acting as nuclei for crystal growth more effectively than large HA agglomerates. The largest modulus and yield strength that could be achieved with this system were approximately 1.45 GPa and 80 MPa, respectively. Composites of HA/PEI/PHBV and HA/Hep/PHBV with approximately 55 wt % of HA content were found to exhibit the largest compressive moduli of approximately 2.5 and 2.8 GPa, respectively. Moreover, the yield strengths for the same materials were found to be approximately 123 and 120 MPa, respectively. This was found to correlate with the better levels of dispersion within the nanocomposites that could be achieved using these stabilisers. The extruded samples were found to have an even greater degree of particle dispersion when compared to the unextruded ones. This improved degree of particle dispersion of the extruded samples resulted in higher moduli in comparison to unextruded samples. The largest compressive modulus and yield strength of the extruded samples were found to be approximately 3.2 GPa and 125 MPa, respectively. The compressive moduli of the composites produced in this thesis are significantly greater than that of cancellous bone (0.4 GPa), but significantly lower than that of cortical bone (12.8–17.7 GPa). However, maximum yield strengths of the HA/PEI/PHBV and HA/Hep/PHBV composites match to cortical bone (120–180 MPa), which is a noteworthy finding in this thesis. The wet mechanical results of all composites as well as pure PHBV polymer showed a reduction in both moduli and yield strengths when compared to dry state. In addition, after 2 weeks in wet state both moduli and yield strengths of the composites and pure polymer converged to approximately the same values. Finally, the HA/PEI/PHBV composite samples tested by tensile testing showed the highest Young’s modulus and those tested by compression testing possessed the lowest Young’s modulus. This resulted from the difference in periods of time for heating exposure and void contents of the tested samples, which were prepared by different methods. However, toughness values obtained from the samples tested using three-point bending and tensile tests, was not significantly different.

This thesis is inspired by a persistent limitation in the use of composite biomaterials for orthopaedic applications, namely the agglomeration of reinforcing particles in these composites, which has resulted in poor mechanical properties. The use of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles to produce biodegradable nanocomposites is investigated. More specifically, the thesis investigates different methods of composite processing, and interfacial modifying agents and the effect that these have on the nano- and micro- scale structure of composites and their mechanical properties. PHBV and HA were chosen because PHBV is a biodegradable/biocompatible polymer and it has a relatively high stiffness when compared to other biodegradable polymers frequently used in orthopaedic applications. HA is chemically similar to ceramic phase found in bones and hard tissues and the inclusion of HA into biomedical materials has been shown to enhance the rate of osteoconduction. HA/PHBV composites were produced using different dispersing agents including poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), a model dispersing agent, polyethyleneimine (PEI) which allowed for the development of a single solvent system for composite preparation, and heparin (Hep), a macromolecule which is produced in vivo. Additionally, HA/PAA/PHBV composites were prepared from both sonicated and non-sonicated HA/PAA suspensions up to approximately 17% by weight (wt %) of HA content. Attempts to prepare composites with higher HA loadings led to inhomogeneous composite mixtures, which were caused by the dual solvent system used for the composite preparation. The HA/PEI/PHBV and HA/Hep/PHBV composites were produced up to approximately 75 wt % of HA content. It was found that the HA/PEI/PHBV and HA/Hep/PHBV composites could be prepared at higher loadings than HA/PAA/PHBV composites due to the single solvent system used for the preparation of the HA/PEI/PHBV composites and the better dispersion of HA/Hep particles in precursor suspensions. Finally, selected HA/PEI/PHBV composites were further processed using a twin screw extruder. All of the composites were characterised in terms of their dispersion levels as well as their compressive mechanical properties. In addition, HA/PEI/PHBV composite reinforced with 20 wt % of HA content was also tested for its mechanical properties using three different test types; compression, three-point bending, and tensile tests. Finally, the HA/PAA/PHBV, HA/PEI/PHBV, and HA/Hep/PHBV composites were tested their compressive mechanical properties in wet state. It was found that the sonicated HA/PAA suspensions in general had better colloidal stability than non-sonicated ones and that this yielded composites with superior compressive moduli than those prepared from non-sonicated suspensions. In addition, the better dispersion of the particles in the composites prepared from the sonicated suspensions, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images, led to higher percentage crystallinities when compared to the composites prepared from non-sonicated suspensions. It is likely that the greater number of individual HA particles and smaller HA agglomerates observed in the composites prepared from sonication treatment are acting as nuclei for crystal growth more effectively than large HA agglomerates. The largest modulus and yield strength that could be achieved with this system were approximately 1.45 GPa and 80 MPa, respectively. Composites of HA/PEI/PHBV and HA/Hep/PHBV with approximately 55 wt % of HA content were found to exhibit the largest compressive moduli of approximately 2.5 and 2.8 GPa, respectively. Moreover, the yield strengths for the same materials were found to be approximately 123 and 120 MPa, respectively. This was found to correlate with the better levels of dispersion within the nanocomposites that could be achieved using these stabilisers. The extruded samples were found to have an even greater degree of particle dispersion when compared to the unextruded ones. This improved degree of particle dispersion of the extruded samples resulted in higher moduli in comparison to unextruded samples. The largest compressive modulus and yield strength of the extruded samples were found to be approximately 3.2 GPa and 125 MPa, respectively. The compressive moduli of the composites produced in this thesis are significantly greater than that of cancellous bone (0.4 GPa), but significantly lower than that of cortical bone (12.8–17.7 GPa). However, maximum yield strengths of the HA/PEI/PHBV and HA/Hep/PHBV composites match to cortical bone (120–180 MPa), which is a noteworthy finding in this thesis. The wet mechanical results of all composites as well as pure PHBV polymer showed a reduction in both moduli and yield strengths when compared to dry state. In addition, after 2 weeks in wet state both moduli and yield strengths of the composites and pure polymer converged to approximately the same values. Finally, the HA/PEI/PHBV composite samples tested by tensile testing showed the highest Young’s modulus and those tested by compression testing possessed the lowest Young’s modulus. This resulted from the difference in periods of time for heating exposure and void contents of the tested samples, which were prepared by different methods. However, toughness values obtained from the samples tested using three-point bending and tensile tests, was not significantly different.