[Polyhydroxyalkanoates microbiological synthesis from food wastes]

To reduce the production cost of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), the process feasibility and physicochemical properties of PHAs synthesized by Alcaligenes latus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and activated sludge from malt waste, soy waste, confectionary waste, ice cream waste, milk waste, sesame oil and vinegar waste were analyzed. Results showed that through two-stage fed-batch fermentation, the maximum yield of PHAs accumulated by the three kinds of microorganisms from malt waste was 70.1%, 16.0% and 43.3%, separately. A. latus adapted itself to the food wastes in PHAs synthesis and new cell growth quickly. A. latus had higher PHAs yield and productivity under nitrogen limited condition. Micro-aerobically, S. epidermidis separated from sesame oil could produce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) with molecular weight of over 1 x 10(6). From soy waste, activated sludge accumulated polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvaluate (PHBV) copolymer which had hydroxyvaleryl content (HV%) of 21%. Most food wastes are suitable for synthesizing PHAs with different physicochemical properties. The composition and properties of PHAs are influenced by the character of microorganism, the selection of substrates and optimization of ferment conditions.