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Title Advances in Microbial Biotechnology for Sustainable Alternatives to Petroleum-Based Plastics: A Comprehensive Review of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production
ID_Doc 9197
Authors González-Rojo, S; Paniagua-García, AI; Díez-Antolínez, R
Title Advances in Microbial Biotechnology for Sustainable Alternatives to Petroleum-Based Plastics: A Comprehensive Review of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production
Year 2024
Published Microorganisms, 12.0, 8
DOI 10.3390/microorganisms12081668
Abstract The industrial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) faces several limitations that hinder their competitiveness against traditional plastics, mainly due to high production costs and complex recovery processes. Innovations in microbial biotechnology offer promising solutions to overcome these challenges. The modification of the biosynthetic pathways is one of the main tactics; allowing for direct carbon flux toward PHA formation, increasing polymer accumulation and improving polymer properties. Additionally, techniques have been implemented to expand the range of renewable substrates used in PHA production. These feedstocks are inexpensive and plentiful but require costly and energy-intensive pretreatment. By removing the need for pretreatment and enabling the direct use of these raw materials, microbial biotechnology aims to reduce production costs. Furthermore, improving downstream processes to facilitate the separation of biomass from culture broth and the recovery of PHAs is critical. Genetic modifications that alter cell morphology and allow PHA secretion directly into the culture medium simplify the extraction and purification process, significantly reducing operating costs. These advances in microbial biotechnology not only enhance the efficient and sustainable production of PHAs, but also position these biopolymers as a viable and competitive alternative to petroleum-based plastics, contributing to a circular economy and reducing the dependence on fossil resources.
Author Keywords PHA; microbial biotechnology; genetic engineering; bioplastics; polyhydroxyalkanoates
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:001305868100001
WoS Category Microbiology
Research Area Microbiology
PDF https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081668
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