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Polydroxyalkanoates Production from Simulated Food Waste Condensate Using Mixed Microbial Cultures.

Konstantina Filippou1, Evaggelia Bouzani1, Elianta Kora2,3

  • 1School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Potechneiou 9, Zografou, 15780 Athens, Greece.

Polymers
|August 14, 2025
PubMed
Summary

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Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

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Machine Learning Prediction of Thermal Properties of PHB/PHBV-Based Materials: A Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship Approach Using an Integrated Polymer Database.

Polymers·2026
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Machine Learning Methods for Mineralization-Based Biodegradation Prediction in Polyhydroxyalkanoate-Based Biopolymers: Insights from Lab-Scale Experiments.

Polymers·2026
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A Data-Driven Framework for Predicting PHBV Biodegradation-Induced Weight Loss Based on Laboratory and Real-Environment Condition Tests.

Polymers·2026
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The Effect of Organic Loading and Mode of Operation in a Sequencing Batch Reactor Producing PHAs from a Medium Corresponding to Condensate from Food Waste Drying.

Polymers·2025
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MiDAS 5: Global diversity of bacteria and archaea in anaerobic digesters.

Nature communications·2024
Same author

Investigating the efficiency of a two-stage anaerobic-aerobic process for the treatment of confectionery industry wastewaters with simultaneous production of biohydrogen and polyhydroxyalkanoates.

Environmental research·2024

This study explores using food waste liquid as a substrate for producing biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) with mixed microbial cultures. Higher organic loads in reactors enhanced PHA accumulation and biomass productivity, demonstrating a sustainable bioplastic alternative.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Petroleum-based plastics pose environmental challenges, necessitating biodegradable alternatives.
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are promising bioplastics derived from renewable resources.
  • Food waste presents an underutilized resource for bioplastic production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility of using synthetic food waste condensate as a substrate for PHA production.
  • To investigate the impact of varying organic loading on PHA accumulation and biomass productivity.
  • To characterize the produced PHA and analyze the microbial community shifts during the process.

Main Methods:

  • Operation of two draw-fill reactors (DFRs) with different organic concentrations (2.0 and 3.8 g COD/L).
Keywords:
condensatedraw-fill reactorsfood wastepolyhydroxyalkanoates

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  • Controlled carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and alternating nutrient availability to enrich PHA-accumulating microorganisms.
  • Monitoring of organic pollutant removal, biomass growth, pH, PHA content, and polymer composition.
  • Microbial community analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing.

    • Main Results:

    • Both reactors achieved over 95% soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and stable operational parameters.
    • The higher organic load reactor (DFR-2) showed increased PHA accumulation (19.05%) and biomass productivity compared to DFR-1 (15.19%).
    • Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) was identified, with composition influenced by substrate.
    • Microbial analysis revealed a shift towards Proteobacteria, indicating successful enrichment of PHA producers.

    Conclusions:

    • Synthetic food waste condensate is a viable substrate for PHA production using mixed microbial cultures.
    • Optimizing organic loading can enhance PHA accumulation and biomass productivity.
    • This approach offers a sustainable method for bioplastic generation and waste valorization.