| SYNTHESIS |
(1) Two Amino Acids per Monomer: The monomer is synthesized by connecting the amino groups of two molecules of L-phenylalanine or any other suitable amino acid, through a peptide linkage to an aliphatic diacid (shown below). ##STR5## Succinic acid or other naturally occurring diacids are used. L-amino acids are used because they are also naturally occurring. The phenyl groups on the amino acid would provide the required hydrophobicity. Also, the length of the aliphatic acid can be used to affect hydrophobicity and hence bioerosion rates. Bioerosion rate can also be varied by using different combinations of amino acids. One advantage of this monomer is its symmetry since this promotes crystallinity which helps prevent water absorption as discussed above
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