EUBCE 2024 - Olga VITTOU - Valorisation Of Renewable Feedstock Towards Enhanced Biopolymer Production Via Cathodic Electrofermentation

Valorisation Of Renewable Feedstock Towards Enhanced Biopolymer Production Via Cathodic Electrofermentation

Short Introductive summary

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) are bio-based and biodegradable polymers that are synthesized intracellularly by various microorganisms as carbon and energy reserves. Sugar beet pulp (SBP), a co-product of the sugar processing industry, is the main stream, accounting for 3–5% (w/w) of sugar beet after the diffusion process. SBP valorisation was carried out in this study in a biorefinery framework by extracting pectin and free sugars, while the residual solids were used for the production of sugar-rich hydrolysate for PHB and PHBV production. The addition of different concentrations of levulinic acid during fermentation resulted in PHBV production with different 3HV contents. The biopolymers derived after the addition of different concentrations of levulinic acid were characterized ther thermal and mechanical properties. Moreover, a comparative study of the implementation of electrical power in fermentation systems for the production of bio-based polymers as an alternative source of reductive energy in microbial factories was performed.

O. Vittou, Agricultural University of Athens, GREECE
M. Sarafidou, Agricultural University of Athens, GREECE
O. Psaki, Agricultural University of Athens, GREECE
A. Koutinas, Agricultural University of Athens, GREECE