Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
Published on: July 18, 2025
Conversion of grass biomass into fermentable sugars and its utilization for medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate
Reeta Davis1, Rashmi Kataria, Federico Cerrone
1School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Technology Centre for Biorefining and Bioenergy, Orbsen Building, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
Abstract:
This study investigated the potential of grass biomass as a feedstock for mcl-PHA production. Pretreatments (2% NaOH at 120°C or hot water at 120°C) of perennial ryegrass were employed alone or in combination with sodium chlorite/acetic acid (SC/AA) delignification to evaluate the enzymatic digestibility and subsequent utilization of resultant sugars by Pseudomonas strains. NaOH pretreated sample had better digestibility than raw and hot water treated samples and this hydrolysate supported good growth of all tested strains with limited mcl-PHA (6-17% of cell dry mass (CDM)) accumulation. Digestibility of both untreated and pretreated samples was improved after SC/AA delignification and produced glucose (74-77%) rich hydrolysates. Tested strains accumulated 20-34% of CDM as PHA when these hydrolysates were used as sole carbon and energy source. CDM and PHA yields obtained for these strains when tested with laboratory grade sugars was similar to that achieved with grass derived sugars.
Related Concept Videos
Bioplastics
Production of Organic Acids
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics
Biofuels
Microbes in Food Production
Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods

