Biopolymer Production Research Articles

Production of Biopolymer & Preparation of Soap Using Chitin and Chitosan from Brachyura Shell

Collagen, an extracellular protein, was extracted from eggshells using a combination of 5% EDTA, 0.45 M NaCl, 0.2% NaOH, 0.2% H₂SO₄, 0.7% citric acid, and 10% HCl, while chitosan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, was extracted from crab shells (Brachyura) through demineralization with 1N Hydrochloric acid, deproteinization using 6% sodium hydroxide solution, and deacetylation with 40% NaOH, followed by decolorization using potassium permanganate and oxalic acid. The proximate analysis of chitosan revealed an ash content of 32% and a moisture content of 4.13%, while the protein content of the extracted collagen was found to be 70 µg/dL, with an alternative method indicating 75 µg, equivalent to BSA. The molecular weights of collagen and chitosan were determined to be 300 kilodaltons and 190-310 kilodaltons, respectively, and their purity was confirmed using FTIR analysis. Hydrogels were prepared using a combination of collagen and chitosan and were tested for water absorption capacity and antimicrobial activity, demonstrating that both biomaterials possess significant antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Additionally, chitosan’s biocompatibility supports its use in creating edible films that can interact with other biopolymers and additives, indicating its potential for various industrial and biomedical applications.

Production of biopolymers from watermelon mesocarp: structural characterization, cytogenotoxicological safety, and antioxidant activity

Production of biopolymers from watermelon mesocarp: structural characterization, cytogenotoxicological safety, and antioxidant activity

Utilization of blue light-emitting diodes in Ensifer meliloti cultivation for enhanced production of antioxidant biopolymers

Utilization of blue light-emitting diodes in Ensifer meliloti cultivation for enhanced production of antioxidant biopolymers

Extraction of Fungal Chitosan by Leveraging Pineapple Peel Substrate for Sustainable Biopolymer Production.

The cost-effective production of commercially important biopolymers, such as chitosan, has gained momentum in recent decades owing to its versatile material properties. The seasonal variability in the availability of crustacean waste and fish waste, routinely used for chitosan extraction, has triggered a focus on fungal chitosan as a sustainable alternative. This study demonstrates a cost-effective strategy for cultivating an endophytic fungus isolated from Pichavaram mangrove soil in a pineapple peel-based medium for harvesting fungal biomass. Chitosan was extracted using alkali and acid treatment methods from various combinations of media. The highest chitosan yield (139 ± 0.25 mg/L) was obtained from the pineapple peel waste-derived medium supplemented with peptone. The extracted polymer was characterized by FTIR, XRD, DSC, and TGA analysis. The antioxidant activity of the fungal chitosan was evaluated using DPPH assay and showed an IC50 value of 0.22 mg/L. Subsequently, a transparent chitosan film was fabricated using the extracted fungal chitosan, and its biodegradability was assessed using a soil burial test for 50 days. Biodegradation tests revealed that, after 50 days, a degradation rate of 28.92 ± 0.75% (w/w) was recorded. Thus, this study emphasizes a cost-effective strategy for the production of biopolymers with significant antioxidant activity, which may have promising applications in food packaging if additional investigations are carried out in the future.

Biodiversity and biotechnological potential of cultivable Halophilic bacteria from Slana voda (Oravska Polhora, Slovakia) natural salt spring

AbstractHalophilic microorganisms are of immense importance in various fields of biotechnology. There is a multitude of actual or potential applications in the research of environmentally friendly applications in biodegradation, decolorization, food biotechnology, and biopolymers production. Thirty-eight strains of halophilic bacteria were isolated from the Slana voda (Slovakia, Central Europe) natural salt spring, with a tolerance of up to 20% of NaCl. The Halomonas genus accounted for more than 35% of the cultivable microbiota, followed by Shewanella and Pseudoaltermonas genera. More than 55% of bacterial isolates were able to produce at least one of the tested hydrolases (cellulase, lipase, amylase, protease) and three of them were positive for all four enzyme activities. Bacterial isolates showed a relatively high ability to degrade synthetic dyes, namely congo red, crystal violet, malachite green, methylene blue, methyl red, and safranin (5.26, 42.11, 44.74, 63.16, 92.18, and 18.42% of isolates respectively). Interestingly only a small overlap was observed between the isolates producing extremozymes and the isolates demonstrating decolorizing activity.

Large-scale cultivation of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 for the production of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and its potential applications in the manufacturing of bulk and medical prototypes

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolymers produced by microorganisms under nutrient limiting conditions and in the presence of excess carbon source. PHAs have gained popularity as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. However, large scale production of PHAs is economically challenging due to the relatively high costs of organic carbon. Alternative options include using organisms capable of phototrophic or mixotrophic growth. This study aimed at the production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) P(3HB), a type of PHA, at pilot scale using the freshwater cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. First, to identify optimal conditions for P(3HB) production from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, different supplemental carbon source concentrations and salinity levels were tested at laboratory scale. The addition of 4 g/L acetate with no added NaCl led to P(3HB) accumulation of 10.7 % dry cell weight on the 28th day of cultivation. Although acetate additions were replicated in an outdoor 400 L serpentine photobioreactor, P(3HB) content was lower, implying uncontrolled conditions impact on biopolymer production efficiency. An optimized P(3HB) extraction methodology was developed to remove pigments, and the biopolymer was characterized and subjected to 3D printing (fused deposition modelling) to confirm its processability. This study thus successfully led to the large-scale production of P(3HB) using sustainable and environmentally friendly cyanobacterial fermentation.

Optimized batch cultivation and scale-up of Bacillus thuringiensis for high-yield production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)

Addition of statistically optimized concentration of electron acceptor, propionic acid (1.2 g/L) at different cultivation times (0 h, 14.86 h and 19 h) during batch cultivation of B. thuringiensis in mixed substrate (glucose and glycerol) featured production of 8 g/L of biomass and 3.57 g/L of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) containing 0.805 g/L of 3-hydroxyvalerate concentration. Successful scale up of batch cultivation from 7 L to a 70 L bioreactor was, thereafter, achieved using power/volume (P/V) criteria with maximum PHBV and biomass concentration of 3.57 g/L and 7.15 g/L respectively. Characterization of PHBV so produced was carried out using NMR, FTIR, DSC and TGA to elucidate its structure, thermal properties and stability to map their applications in society. These findings highlight the potential of the optimized batch cultivation and scale-up process in producing PHBV emphasizing its relevance in sustainable biopolymer production.

Recent progress in the development of coatings for paper food packaging applications

Relevance and aim of the research: Many types of coatings have been developed to meet the demanding needs and properties of paper-based packaging, which is the most widely used sustainable category of food packaging. The purpose of this paper is to list and classify special sustainable coatings, such as bio-based coatings and coatings based on nanomaterials (NPs) that provide barrier, optical, mechanical, anti-microbial and other properties as well as additional functions to the final product for food paper packaging. Methodology and results: The study is an overview of the previously published works on trends and challenges in the development of healthy and eco-friendly for sustainable food paper packaging applications, which are green alternatives to conventional coatings. As known, paper/paperboard packaging, because of its structure made from cellulose fibers, is naturally sensitive to microbial attack due to the poor barrier properties (i.e., hydrophilicity, porosity, low grease resistance, high absorptivity to gases and water vapors). Thus, paper packages must be properly coated to withstand and keep the food safe, preventing temperature, humidity and other factors of the surrounding from affecting the composition of packaged food. However, the current market is based on the application of commonly used coatings, which are typically made from fossil oil or synthetic polymers, waxes and /or fluor-derivatives that improve surface hydrophobicity and barrier properties. Nowadays, the use of these materials is limited because of problems arising from fossil-oil resources, poor recyclability, and environmental issues. Therefore, these coatings must be replaced by new materials, with high biodegradability, recyclability and compostability features. Recent studies are focused on biopolymers including polysaccharides such as chitosan, starch, etc., proteins such as whey, wheat gluten, and zein, polyesters as polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) that are investigated to formulate coatings with barrier properties for food packaging paper. Petroleum-based polymers are commonly used in paper coating. Due to the good affinity with the substrate, they create suitable barriers to gases and aroma and increase the mechanical strength of the paper packaging. Moreover, biopolymer products have been developed as counterparts to smoothly replace petroleum-based polymers., they can be made from natural raw materials and sources, such as vegetal and marine biomass, this way they can be biodegradable, nontoxic. Additionally, they act as a basis for the incorporation of additives with specific functions for coated paper (ie, active-antimicrobial properties). The methods of chemical modification and combination as well as the processing and production of these new coatings for paper packaging are still under investigation. The addition of certain nanoparticles (NPs) such as metals and oxides in biopolymers and green coatings could be advantageous to add value and enhance the processing, performance and functionality of food paper packaging. Conclusions & practical implications: The application of coatings on paperbased food packaging is extensively investigated to replace petrochemical derivatives by choosing environmentally friendly alternatives that come from natural and renewable resources. These options determine the ultimate recyclability, biodegradability and even compostability of the final product. The incorporation of certain nanomaterials in the coatings promises to provide a wide range of enhanced properties and improve barrier characteristics of the paper-based food packaging.

Harnessing Brewery Spent Grain for Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production

The utility of brewery spent grain (BSG), a byproduct of the beer production process, for the synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), is a significant advancement towards sustainable and cost−effective biopolymer production. This paper reviews the upcycling potential of BSG as a substrate for PHA production, utilizing various biotechnological approaches to convert this abundant waste material into high−value biodegradable polymers. Through a comprehensive review of recent studies, we highlight the biochemical composition of BSG and its suitability for microbial fermentation processes. This research delves into different methodologies for PHA production from BSG, including the use of mixed microbial cultures (MMCs) for the synthesis of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), a critical precursor in PHA production, and solid−state fermentation (SSF) techniques. We also examine the optimization of process parameters such as pH, temperature, and microbial concentration through the application of the Doehlert design, revealing the intricate relationships between these factors and their impact on VFA profiles and PHA yields. Additionally, this paper discusses challenges and future perspectives for enhancing the efficiency and economic viability of PHA production from BSG. By harnessing the untapped potential of BSG, this research contributes to the development of a circular economy model, emphasizing waste valorization and the creation of sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

Floral waste as a potential feedstock for biopolymer production by a novel strain Enterococcus gallinarum VITSS05: characterization and in silico docking studies

Floral waste as a potential feedstock for biopolymer production by a novel strain Enterococcus gallinarum VITSS05: characterization and in silico docking studies

Isolation, screening, and characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)‐producing Cellulosimicrobium cellulans: A promising approach for eco‐friendly biopolymer production

AbstractThe replacement of synthetic plastics with eco‐friendly biopolymers is a notable approach in the modern world. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have gained a lot of attention among researchers in recent decades. This study aimed to isolate and screen microorganisms capable of producing PHA from composite samples. Several composting unit samples were collected and used to isolate 15 distinct colonies which were then screened for PHA synthesis. Three isolates‐SS2, SSNA 1a, and SF2‐showed promising PHA production. Among these isolates, SS2 had the highest PHA content of 70.1%. The isolate SS2 was determined as Cellulosimicrobium cellulans DSM 43879 by gene sequencing. The polymer produced by SS2 was further characterized. The presence of carbonyl groups and ester linkages in the PHA polymer was established by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The polymer's crystalline nature was validated by X‐ray powder diffraction measurement. Scanning electron microscope study revealed thread‐like forms with a rough surface while energy dispersive X‐ray analysis revealed a low impurity content that was primarily composed of carbon and oxygen with traces of other elements. Overall, the findings indicate C. cellulans potential as an ideal candidate for efficient PHA synthesis supporting its commercial potential in diverse applications.

A Novel GE-Mackinsey Market Approach: Investment Opportunity for the Biopolymer Packaging Materials

Sustainable development in agriculture seeks to implement a robust bioeconomy strategy by valorizing agricultural resources into value-added products. Compared to primary biomass use, using agriculture residues and wastes can achieve higher reductions in GHG emissions and lower feedstock costs. Bioeconomy has substantial potential for high-value products such as biopolymers, pharmaceuticals, and food and feed additives. Low-value applications like bioenergy, biofuels, and bulk chemicals have a weak potential for bioeconomy development. However, high value-added products, including biopolymers, require an equal focus as other products in the bioeconomy value pyramid that can lift the market to elevate sustainable bioeconomy development. A successful transition through radical innovations must be justifiable, with economic, environmental, and social benefits primarily promoted by stakeholders, businesses, or government organizations. One of the core options would be to know the market potential of the biopolymer products. Here, a methodology for decision-making to evaluate four existing biopolymer packaging materials (Cellulose, PHA, PLA, and starch) in the EU market has been developed using the GE-McKinsey Nine-Box Matrix, considering market attractiveness and product competitive advantage. Market innovations can be fostered by integrating the resource availability and technology advancement indicators to the methodology steps. The methodology considers sustainability advantages for the agriculture sector and promotes the strategic commercialization of biopolymer packaging materials. Product-specific indicators are used to evaluate the market attractiveness and product competitive advantage. The research findings show that PLA biopolymer packaging material has the highest potential for commercialization. The application of this methodology and its results provide a justifiable way of determining the investments in value-added products and allow investors to make the right decision-making choice for bioplastic packaging materials, ensuring their sustainability and profitability in the market.

Aerobic granulation and resource production under continuous and intermittent saline stress

Three sequential batch reactors (SBR) were operated to evaluate salt addition's impact on granulation, performance, and biopolymer production in aerobic granular sludge (AGS) systems. System R1 was fed without adding salt (control); system R2 operated with saline pulses, i.e., one cycle with salt (2.5 g NaCl/L) addition followed by another without salt; and R3 received continuous supplementation of 2.5 g NaCl/L. The results indicated that the reactors supplemented with salt presented higher concentrations of mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) and better settleability than R1, showing that osmotic pressure contributed to biomass growth, accelerated granulation, and improved physical characteristics. The faster granulation occurred in R2, thus proving the beneficial effects of intermittent salt addition through alternating pulses. Salt addition did not impair the simultaneous removal of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. In fact, R2 showed better carbon removals. In conclusion, continuous or intermittent (pulsed) supplementation of 2.5 g NaCl/L did not lead to increased production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and alginate-like exopolymers (ALE). This outcome could be attributed to the low saline concentration employed, a higher food-to-microorganism (F/M) ratio observed in R1, and possibly greater endogenous consumption of biopolymers in the famine period in R2 and R3 due to the greater solids retention time (SRT). Therefore, this study brings important results that contribute to a better understanding of the effect of salt in continuous dosing or in pulses as a selection pressure strategy to accelerate granulation, as well as the behavior of the AGS systems for saline effluents.

Acidophilic heterotrophs: basic aspects and technological applications.

Acidophiles comprise a group of microorganisms adapted to live in acidic environments. Despite acidophiles are usually associated with an autotrophic metabolism, more than 80 microorganisms capable of utilizing organic matter have been isolated from natural and man-made environments. The ability to reduce soluble and insoluble iron compounds has been described for many of these species and may be harnessed to develop new or improved mining processes when oxidative bioleaching is ineffective. Similarly, as these microorganisms grow in highly acidic media and the chances of contamination are reduced by the low pH, they may be employed to implement robust fermentation processes. By conducting an extensive literature review, this work presents an updated view of basic aspects and technological applications in biomining, bioremediation, fermentation processes aimed at biopolymers production, microbial electrochemical systems, and the potential use of extremozymes.

Harnessing Agri-Food Waste as a Source of Biopolymers for Agriculture

Harnessing Agri-Food Waste as a Source of Biopolymers for Agriculture

ALACEN: A Holistic Herbaceous Biomass Fractionation Process Attaining a Xylose-Rich Stream for Direct Microbial Conversion to Bioplastics.

Lignocellulose biorefining is a promising technology for the sustainable production of chemicals and biopolymers. Usually, when one component is focused on, the chemical nature and yield of the others are compromised. Thus, one of the bottlenecks in biomass biorefining is harnessing the maximum value from all of the lignocellulosic components. Here, we describe a mild stepwise process in a flow-through setup leading to separate flow-out streams containing cinnamic acid derivatives, glucose, xylose, and lignin as the main components from different herbaceous sources. The proposed process shows that minimal degradation of the individual components and conservation of their natural structure are possible. Under optimized conditions, the following fractions are produced from wheat straw based on their respective contents in the feed by the ALkaline ACid ENzyme process: (i) 78% ferulic acid from a mild ALkali step, (ii) 51% monomeric xylose free of fermentation inhibitors by mild ACidic treatment, (iii) 82% glucose from ENzymatic degradation of cellulose, and (iv) 55% native-like lignin. The benefits of using the flow-through setup are demonstrated. The retention of the lignin aryl ether structure was confirmed by HSQC NMR, and this allowed monomers to form from hydrogenolysis. More importantly, the crude xylose-rich fraction was shown to be suitable for producing polyhydroxybutyrate bioplastics. The direct use of the xylose-rich fraction by means of the thermophilic bacteria Schlegelella thermodepolymerans matched 91% of the PHA produced with commercial pure xylose, achieving 138.6 mgPHA/gxylose. Overall, the ALACEN fractionation method allows for a holistic valorization of the principal components of herbaceous biomasses.

Green Synthesis of Bioplastics from Microalgae: A State-of-the-Art Review.

The synthesis of conventional plastics has increased tremendously in the last decades due to rapid industrialization, population growth, and advancement in the use of modern technologies. However, overuse of these fossil fuel-based plastics has resulted in serious environmental and health hazards by causing pollution, global warming, etc. Therefore, the use of microalgae as a feedstock is a promising, green, and sustainable approach for the production of biobased plastics. Various biopolymers, such as polyhydroxybutyrate, polyurethane, polylactic acid, cellulose-based polymers, starch-based polymers, and protein-based polymers, can be produced from different strains of microalgae under varying culture conditions. Different techniques, including genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, the use of photobioreactors, response surface methodology, and artificial intelligence, are used to alter and improve microalgae stocks for the commercial synthesis of bioplastics at lower costs. In comparison to conventional plastics, these biobased plastics are biodegradable, biocompatible, recyclable, non-toxic, eco-friendly, and sustainable, with robust mechanical and thermoplastic properties. In addition, the bioplastics are suitable for a plethora of applications in the agriculture, construction, healthcare, electrical and electronics, and packaging industries. Thus, this review focuses on techniques for the production of biopolymers and bioplastics from microalgae. In addition, it discusses innovative and efficient strategies for large-scale bioplastic production while also providing insights into the life cycle assessment, end-of-life, and applications of bioplastics. Furthermore, some challenges affecting industrial scale bioplastics production and recommendations for future research are provided.

Enhancing deep eutectic solvent systems for efficient fermentable sugar recovery from lignocellulosic fiber

Efficient conversion of sugars into fermentable sugars is a critical challenge in the cost-effective production of lignocellulosic biopolymers and biofuels. This study focuses on various sugar quantification techniques applied to Furcraea Foetida (Mauritius Hemp) samples, utilizing natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) and deep eutectic solvents (DES) like urea, glycerol, citrates, pyrogallol (PY), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Employing a Taguchi-designed experiment, operational conditions were fine-tuned to evaluate the influence of time, concentration, and temperature on each deep eutectic solvent-based process. The emerging green solvent extraction approach demonstrated significant results, achieving notably high sugar yields compared to traditional techniques such as alkali, hot-water, and acid-mediated extraction. At a CTAB:PY molar ratio of 1:3, optimized for 60 min at 50 °C, the highest fermentable sugar (FS) yield of 0.6891 ± 0.0123 g FS/g LCB was attained—2 to 6 times higher than non-optimized values and 0.2 to 0.3 times higher than optimized traditional methods. In light of this, this research study emphasizes the pivotal significance of efficient sugar conversion through optimized deep eutectic solvent-based extraction methods, with a particular focus on Furcraea Foetida fibers, offering promising outcomes for the biofuel and biopolymer production industry.

Techno-economic assessment of biopolymer production from methane and volatile fatty acids: effect of the reactor size and biomass concentration on the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) selling price

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) is a biobased and biodegradable polymer that could efficiently replace fossil-based plastics. However, its widespread deployment is slowed down by the high production cost. In this work, the techno-economic assessment of the process for producing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) from low-cost substrates, such as methane and valeric acid derived from the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes, is proposed. Several strategies for cost abatement, such as the use of a mixed consortium and a line for reagent recycling during downstream, were adopted. Different scenarios in terms of production, from 100 to 100,000 t/y, were analysed, and, for each case, the effect of the reactor volume (small, medium and large size) on the selling price was assessed. In addition, the effect of biomass concentration was also considered. Results show that the selling price of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) is minimum for a production plant with 100,000 t/y capacity, accounting for 18.4 €/kg, and highly influenced by the biomass concentration since it can be reduced up to 8.6 €/kg by increasing the total suspended solids from 5 to 30 g/L, This adjustment aligns the breakeven point of PHBV with the reported average commercial price.

Bioprospecting of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for boosting biofuel-related products production based on novel aggregation-induced emission active extracellular polymeric substances nanoprobes

Biofuel production from microalgae has been greatly restricted by low biomass productivity and long-term photosynthetic efficacy. Here, a novel strategy for selecting high-growing, stress-resistant algal strains with high photosynthetic capacity was proposed based on biocompatible extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) probes with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. Specifically, AIE active EPS probes were synthesized for in-situ long-term monitoring of the EPS productivity at different algal growth stages. By coupling the AIE-based fluorescent techniques, algal cells were classified into four diverse populations based on their chlorophyll and EPS signals. Mechanistic studies on the sorted algal cells revealed their remarkable stress resistance and high expression of cell division, biopolymer production and photosynthesis-related genes. The sorted and subcultured algal cells consistently exhibited relatively higher growth rates and photosynthetic capacities, resulting in an increased (1.2 to 1.8-fold) algal biomass production, chlorophyll, and lipids. This study can potentially open new strategies to boost microalgal-based biofuel production.