Dynamic synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates by bacterial consortium from simulated excess sludge fermentation liquid

Abstract

The dynamic process of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) synthesis by bacterial consortium in substrates simulating the excess sludge fermentation liquid was in-depth investigated in this study. The maximum PHA content and PHA yield was obtained with 62.43% of the dry cell and 0.71 g/L which is the highest under high initial carbon concentration (2170 mg TOC/L) and nitrogen-unlimited conditions so far. The active biomass growth presented an asynchrony with PHA synthesis under this hydrolysate-like condition. The consortium was prior to utilize even-number carbon acid to synthesize 3-hydroxybutyrate (HB) and then the odd-number carbon acid for 3-hydroxyvalerate (HV). Fermented liquid with higher percentage of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) is favor of a higher PHA content. Non-VFAs (>30%) such as protein and carbohydrates had negative effects on PHA accumulation but facilitated the cell growth. A balance should be found between cell growth and PHA accumulation in order to achieve a relative high PHA yield.