Design of a tailor-made platform for syngas bioconversion into polyhydroxybutyrate

Biodegradable polymers such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) are part of the emerging portfolio of renewable materials, which are addressing the issue of plastic waste. Syngas, as a cheap, renewable and sustainable resource that can be obtained from biomass or waste, is viewed as an excellent feedstock for different bioprocesses, including syngas to PHB bioconversion. However, due to the hazardous nature of syngas, it is of utmost importance to consider safety aspects of the process. This recently developed tailor-made platform for safe syngas fermentation and PHB production addresses safety aspects and demonstrates the importance of robust online and in-line analytical tools allowing for monitoring and controlling of this bioprocess.