Abstract
<ns3:p><ns3:bold>Background:</ns3:bold><ns3:bold> </ns3:bold>The effect of solid retention time (SRT) over cheese whey substrates in a fermentation process drives changes in the composition of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) obtained. Volatile fatty acids produced in the first step of an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor were used as substrates to produce PHA using mixed microbial cultures under aerobic dynamic feeding conditions.</ns3:p><ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Methods: </ns3:bold>Analytical methods were used for the standard analysis of parameters of interest including measuring the amount of ammonium and phosphate, chemical oxygen demand, among others.</ns3:p><ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Results</ns3:bold>: The SRT increasing from 4 to 6 and 10 days produced changes in the distribution of volatile fatty acids produced. The polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers formed in the accumulation stage gave the following results: 58:42, 68:32 and 81:19 (%), referred to SRTs of 10, 6 and 4 days, respectively. The maximum PHA accumulation obtained at 10 days of SRT was 52% of the dry cell weight within 7 h, reaching a PHA productivity of 0.62 g L<ns3:sup>−1</ns3:sup> h<ns3:sup>−1</ns3:sup> and a storage yield of 0.37.</ns3:p><ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Conclusion:</ns3:bold><ns3:bold> </ns3:bold>The SRT variation impact on the distribution of volatile fatty acids in the acidogenic reactor and consequently on the PHA production and composition formed in the accumulation stage.</ns3:p>
Highlights
In recent decades, many efforts have been made to develop biopolymers to replace synthetic plastics derived from the petrochemical industry
The effect of solid retention time (SRT) on the volatile fatty acids produced was evaluated through three different SRTs (4, 6 and 10 d) applied to the reactor
The results showed some variation in the yield of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) on the substrate and changes in the VFA profile (Table 3)
Summary
Many efforts have been made to develop biopolymers to replace synthetic plastics derived from the petrochemical industry. Plastics have problems associated with their widespread accumulation and damage to the environment, and their low cost of production entails difficulties in reducing them and looking for less expensive alternatives that share many properties of traditional plastics but are more friendly in terms of biodegradability.[1]. In this way, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have been established as a viable alternative in the gradual and systematic substitution of conventional plastics. Conclusion: The SRT variation impact on the distribution of volatile fatty acids in the acidogenic reactor and on the PHA production and composition formed in the accumulation stage
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
