Polyhydroxybutyrate Production by various Substrates: Optimization and Application

Author: Anisha, Bidisha Kumari and Pratham Jindal

Download PDF

Abstract

Synthetic plastics because of their non-biodegradability have made huge waste accumulation resulting in hazardous environmental issues that must be controlled soon. There is a crucial need for the substitution of these plastics with biodegradable plastic. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is one of the emerging biopolymers which can be a perfect and eco-friendly substitution for synthetic plastics. Due to its unique properties, it can be a better alternative to synthetic plastic. Since plastics accumulate millions of tons annually in the environment and cause life-threatening problems, therefore the production of PHB using low-priced substrates is important. The present research has shown that carbon sources were found to be a pivotal factor in the production of PHB. The present article focuses on the production of PHB through various microbes and economical feedstocks, its optimization, and the applications of PHB in different areas. Various challenges have been faced in PHB production such as high production cost, low thermal stability, physical aging problem, low yield, difficulties in extraction, etc. Such serious problems have been tackled wisely. Cheap substrates and microbes are used for PHB production.

Keywords

Bio-degradable plastic, Poly-3-hydroxy-butyrate, Physicochemical technique, Alkali pre- treatment, Bio-composites

Conclusion

A review of various methods of production of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has been presented here, which has been mainly focused on its low manufacturing cost and environmental benefits. Several important aspects have been discussed, starting with the concern for energy and environmental sustainability and how PHB a plastic-like Biopolymer can be used as an alternative to synthetic plastic. Then the production of polyhydroxybutyrate by using cost-effective substrates and their strains such as sugarcane molasses, Canned pineapple (C. necator strain A04), Cow dung (Bacillus pumilus H9), Sugar industry wastewater, and Banana (Musa sp.) fronds extract (Cupriavidus necator H16) was drawn from different studies. The main hassle in the large-scale production of PHB using the physicochemical technique is the manufacturing cost as compared to the petrochemical-obtained plastic production. Optimizing various inexpensive and natural substrates to overcome manufacturing costs in large-scale commercial production is one of the well-known trends in the industry today. It was concluded that alkali pre-treatment and microwave pre-treatment are effective, energy-intensive, and simple methods for the optimization of PHB production. Additionally, the trends in the recent development of PHB production through Cyanobacteria which have high protein content, Cupriavidus necator by using CO2 as a renewable feedstock, Sugar refinery waste products, Polyacidic acid a biodegradable material originally used for food packaging, various Biocomposites used for making dental implants was observed. Furthermore, various important applications of PHB in different sectors including Environmental, Pharmacology, Medical field, Material packaging, and its unique properties such as biodegradability, low thermal stability, and non-toxicity came into view. In this sense, this biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate is the most effective to reduce the pollution value of the environment, and in today's industry; there are various inexpensive substrates to overcome manufacturing costs in large-scale commercial production.

References

-

How to cite this article

Anisha, Bidisha Kumari and Pratham Jindal (2023). Polyhydroxybutyrate Production by various Substrates: Optimization and Application. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(1): 463-474.