1. Introduction
The growing demand to substitute petroleum based products
have increased the focus on bio based resources among which
biopolymers are gaining an increasing popularity. Polyhydroxyalkanoates
(PHAs), a bacterial polyester produced as a microbial
energy reserve lie well within the parameters of biopolymer definition.
Polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV), an eminent PHA
is widely accepted in the applications of medical field. Some of its
physical and mechanical properties resemblance to polypropylene
has tempted researchers to explore its applications for structural,
packaging and automotive sectors. However, its narrow processing
temperature range, thermal degradability, low toughness
and post crystallization phenomena does not allow to render its
capability to perform, as the material for the afore mentioned
applications. Natural or wood fiber reinforcement of PHBV matrix
is a step forward in the direction to improve its performance as a
material while retaining the concept of fully biodegradable material.
The abundance, economical, renewable, environment friendliness
and easy assimilation to the processing techniques, make
these as a sustainable reinforcing agent in the plastics. Inorganic