Production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from batch fermentation of hemp biomass via co-fermentation of Cupriavidus necator with Paraburkholderia Sacchari

Abstract

This study aimed to attain high PHB yield using alkaline-pretreated hemp as a feedstock for microbial fermentation by optimizing key process parameters, including pretreatment and fermentation conditions. Hemp was pretreated with 1% sodium hydroxide at 130 °C for 1 h, which enhanced hydrolysis efficiency with the least resource consumption compared to among various other pretreatment conditions tested (NaOH concentrations of 1–2%, temperatures of 130–170 °C, and durations of 30–120 min), ultimately yielding recovery of 97.9% glucose and 99.8% xylose. During batch fermentation, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were optimized to enhance cell growth and sugar consumption rates, while 50 mM phosphate buffer was used to maintain pH stability. To improve PHB production, we investigated monocultures and co-cultures of Cupriavidus necator and Paraburkholderia sacchari. C. necator, which primarily utilizes glucose, achieved a maximum PHB yield of 0.433 g/g sugars (productivity of 0.258 g/l/h) at 48 h, whereas P. sacchari, capable of metabolizing both glucose and xylose, exhibited a lower yield. However, their co-culture demonstrated synergistic effects, improving xylose utilization compared to a monoculture of C. necator and increasing PHB yield to 0.341 g/g sugars (productivity of 0.196 g/l/h) compared to a monoculture of P. sacchari. Overall, higher PHB yields were achieved in hydrolysates than in control conditions, demonstrating the effectiveness of process optimization in improving PHB production from lignocellulosic biomass.

Keywords

Bioplastic / Lignocellulosic waste / Fermentation / PHA

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Funding

National Institute of Food and Agriculture(7005880)

Kansas State Research and Extension(Kansas State Research and Extension)

Kansas State University(Kansas State University)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Jiangnan University

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