An Overview of Recent Advancements in Microbial Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Production from Dark Fermentation Acidogenic Effluents: A Path to an Integrated Bio-Refinery

Overview

Journal Polymers (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Date 2021 Dec 28

PMID 34960848

Citations 2

Authors

Rijuta Ganesh Saratale

Si-Kyung Cho

Ganesh Dattatraya Saratale

Manu Kumar

Ram Naresh Bharagava

Sunita Varjani

Avinash A Kadam

Gajanan S Ghodake

Ramasubba Reddy Palem

Sikandar I Mulla

Dong-Su Kim

Han-Seung Shin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Global energy consumption has been increasing in tandem with economic growth motivating researchers to focus on renewable energy sources. Dark fermentative hydrogen synthesis utilizing various biomass resources is a promising, less costly, and less energy-intensive bioprocess relative to other biohydrogen production routes. The generated acidogenic dark fermentative effluent [e.g., volatile fatty acids (VFAs)] has potential as a reliable and sustainable carbon substrate for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthesis. PHA, an important alternative to petrochemical based polymers has attracted interest recently, owing to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. This review illustrates methods for the conversion of acidogenic effluents (VFAs), such as acetate, butyrate, propionate, lactate, valerate, and mixtures of VFAs, into the value-added compound PHA. In addition, the review provides a comprehensive update on research progress of VFAs to PHA conversion and related enhancement techniques including optimization of operational parameters, fermentation strategies, and genetic engineering approaches. Finally, potential bottlenecks and future directions for the conversion of VFAs to PHA are outlined. This review offers insights to researchers on an integrated biorefinery route for sustainable and cost-effective bioplastics production.

Citing Articles

Optimization of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production from biohythane pilot plant effluent by Cupriavidus necator TISTR 1335.

Song Y, Sitthikitpanya N, Usmanbaha N, Reungsang A, Chu C Biodegradation. 2025; 36(1):14.

PMID: 39832017 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-025-10110-y.

Application of Immersed Membrane Bioreactor for Semi-Continuous Production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Organic Waste-Based Volatile Fatty Acids.

Vu D, Mahboubi A, Root A, Heinmaa I, Taherzadeh M, Akesson D Membranes (Basel). 2023; 13(6).

PMID: 37367773 PMC: 10305420. DOI: 10.3390/membranes13060569.

Developing Microbial Co-Culture System for Enhanced Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Production Using Acid Pretreated Lignocellulosic Biomass.

Saratale R, Cho S, Kadam A, Ghodake G, Kumar M, Bharagava R Polymers (Basel). 2022; 14(4).

PMID: 35215639 PMC: 8876045. DOI: 10.3390/polym14040726.

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