Potential of a year-round, closed-loop process for volatile organic compounds reduction in pinewood strands by Pseudomonas putida PX1 cultivated in seasonally varying process effluents

Abstract

Sustainable utilization of waste streams from bioresources is a challenging opportunity for the future. This study investigated the potential of a seasonally varying process effluent stream from medium-density fiberboard production for a year-round cultivation process of Pseudomonas putida PX1 for reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in pinewood strands. For four years, seasonal variations with abundant fermentable carbon sources during colder periods and few carbon sources during warmer periods were observed. Nitrogen sources present in process effluent required for optimal biomass production are insufficient when abundant carbon sources are available and should be supplemented. VOC reduction in pinewood strands with P. putida after mixed substrate fermentation showed very promising results for industrial applications. Total VOC emissions were reduced by more than 55% in only 3 h. Most aldehydes and terpenes were effectively reduced by 67%–100%, except for Δ-3-carene and α-terpinolene, which were reduced by 20%–22%.