Back to Search Start Over

Valorization of Algal Biomass to Produce Microbial Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Recent Updates, Challenges, and Perspectives

Authors :
Anand Narayanasamy
Sanjay K. S. Patel
Neha Singh
M. V. Rohit
Jung-Kul Lee
Source :
Polymers, Vol 16, Iss 15, p 2227 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Biopolymers are highly desirable alternatives to petrochemical-based plastics owing to their biodegradable nature. The production of bioplastics, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), has been widely reported using various bacterial cultures with substrates ranging from pure to biowaste-derived sugars. However, large-scale production and economic feasibility are major limiting factors. Now, using algal biomass for PHA production offers a potential solution to these challenges with a significant environmental benefit. Algae, with their unique ability to utilize carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas (GHG) and wastewater as feed for growth, can produce value-added products in the process and, thereby, play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability. The sugar recovery efficiency from algal biomass is highly variable depending on pretreatment procedures due to inherent compositional variability among their cell walls. Additionally, the yields, composition, and properties of synthesized PHA vary significantly among various microbial PHA producers from algal-derived sugars. Therefore, the microalgal biomass pretreatments and synthesis of PHA copolymers still require considerable investigation to develop an efficient commercial-scale process. This review provides an overview of the microbial potential for PHA production from algal biomass and discusses strategies to enhance PHA production and its properties, focusing on managing GHGs and promoting a sustainable future.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20734360
Volume :
16
Issue :
15
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Polymers
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.73890706983c4fdf8aaf538c36776157
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152227