Characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoate production capacity, composition and weight synthesized by Burkholderia cepacia JC-1 from various carbon sources

Biotransformation of starch-based wastewater into bioplastics: Optimization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production by Cupriavidus necator DSM 545 using potato wastewater hydrolysate

Biodegradable biopolymers, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), have emerged as an alternative to petrochemical-based plastics. The present work explores the production of PHAs based on the biotransformation of potato processing wastewater and addresses two different strategies for PHA recovery. To this end, culture conditions for PHA synthesis by Cupriavidus necator DSM 545 were optimized on a laboratory scale using a response surface methodology-based experimental design. Optimal conditions rendered a PHB, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), accumulation of 83.74 ± 2.37 % (5.1 ± 0.2 gL-1), a 1.4-fold increase compared to the initial conditions. Moreover, polymer extraction with non-halogenated agent improved PHB recovery compared to chloroform method (PHB yield up to 78.78 ± 0.57 %), while maintaining PHB purity. (99.83 ± 4.95 %). Overall, the present work demonstrated the potential valorization of starch-based wastewater by biotransformation into PHBs, a high value-added product, and showed that recovery approaches more eco-friendly than the traditional treatments could be applied to PHB recovery to some extent.

Commercialization potential of agro-based polyhydroxyalkanoates biorefinery: A technical perspective on advances and critical barriers

The exponential increase in the use and careless discard of synthetic plastics has created an alarming concern over the environmental health due to the detrimental effects of petroleum based synthetic polymeric compounds. Piling up of these plastic commodities on various ecological niches and entry of their fragmented parts into soil and water has clearly affected the quality of these ecosystems in the past few decades. Among the many constructive strategies developed to tackle this global issue, use of biopolymers like polyhydroxyalkanoates as sustainable alternatives for synthetic plastics has gained momentum. Despite their excellent material properties and significant biodegradability, polyhydroxyalkanoates still fails to compete with their synthetic counterparts majorly due to the high cost associated with their production and purification thereby limiting their commercialization. Usage of renewable feedstocks as substrates for polyhydroxyalkanoates production has been the thrust area of research to attain the sustainability tag. This review work attempts to provide insights about the recent developments in the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates using renewable feedstock along with various pretreatment methods used for substrate preparation for polyhydroxyalkanoates production. Further, the application of blends based on polyhydroxyalkanoates, and the challenges associated with the waste valorization based polyhydroxyalkanoates production strategy is elaborated in this review work.

Upgrading cardoon biomass into Polyhydroxybutyrate based blends: A holistic approach for the synthesis of biopolymers and additives

Cardoon, Cynara cardunculus L. represents a biorefinery crop with a great potential in the bioplastic field. This work investigates the valorization of different cardoon components into high added value products, finally recombined into novel upgraded bioplastics. Bioprocesses for Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and medium-chain-length Polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHA) production were set up starting from root inulin and seed oil respectively, highlighting the effect of process conditions on polymer properties. The ternary blend, in which the PHB polymer matrix was added with mcl-PHA and epoxidized cardoon oil, evidenced a synergic effect of both additives in modulating PHB structural and thermal properties, promoted by the physical interaction occurring among the components. This proof-of concept frames the paper in the holistic approach of circular economy applied to bioplastic production.