Freitas F., Pais J., Alves V.D., Carvalheira M., Costa N., Oliveira R., Reis M.A.M.
Universidade Nova de Lisboa, PT
Keywords: bioreactor, exopolysaccharide, glycerol-rich product, polyhydroxybutyrate
Glycerol, a byproduct of many industrial processes, mainly in biodiesel production, is generated in quantities far beyond current consumption in traditional applications, thus making it a residue for which interesting applications are lacking. The objective of this work was the conversion of the glycerol-rich byproduct obtained in biodiesel production facilities into biopolymers using a Pseudomonas strain. Two distinct biopolymers were simultaneously produced: an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) and intracellular polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Under optimized EPS production conditions in fed-batch mode, the maximum cellular PHB content was 39 % of CDW and the maximum EPS concentration was 12 g/l. The process is rather versatile since it may be controlled to favor the production of one or both biopolymers. This new process constitutes a promising technology for the valorization of glycerol-rich byproduct, since it accomplishes attractive EPS productivities with relatively low production costs. In addition, the EPS is a novel product with characteristic chemical composition and physical properties which are very competitive when compared to commercially available algal and plant polysaccharides.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2008 Clean Technology Conference and Trade Show
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 552 - 553
Industry sectors: Energy & Sustainability | Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Chemical, Physical & Bio-Sensors
ISBN: 1-4200-8502-0