Editor: Martin Koller

Series Title: Recent Advances in Biotechnology

Microbial Biopolyester Production, Performance and Processing

Volume 1

eBook: US $129 Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $219
Printed Copy: US $155
Library License: US $516
ISSN: 2468-5364 (Print)
ISSN: 2468-5372 (Online)
ISBN: 978-1-68108-326-1 (Print)
ISBN: 978-1-68108-325-4 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2016
DOI: 10.2174/97816810832541160101

Introduction

Global plastic production is estimated to be over 300Mt annually. Most conventional plastics are predominantly produced from fossil fuels and are highly resistant to biodegradation, and only a small share of about 20% of spent plastics is believed to be recycled, which is a cause for environmental concern. Biodegradable plastics would solve this concern as they are a sustainable alternative, yet these do not even cover 5% of the global plastic market.

Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a versatile group of polyesters produced by nature as prokaryotic storage materials. PHAs can be produced through sustainable bioprocess engineering and have displayed remarkable flexibility in their physical and chemical properties. PHAs are the subject of several scientific papers and numerous PHA patents have also been filed, generating significant interest in the plastic production industry.

To develop overall sustainable and efficient production processes, all bioprocess steps need to be thoroughly understood and accounted for. These processes start with the selection of suitable inexpensive raw materials (microbes and enzymes), optimizing the process engineering and process regime, and conclude with the enhancement of product recovery in terms of time, energy, and material input.

Microbial Biopolyester Production, Performance and Processing: Microbiology, Feedstocks, and Metabolism encompasses eight chapters that cover aspects of the microbiology and biotechnology of producing biodegradable plastics. The contents focus on the selection of powerful archaeal and eubacterial production strains, genetic engineering as a tool for optimized PHA production and inexpensive carbon sources for microbial cultures. The volume is a useful resource for bioprocess engineers, microbiologists, biotechnologists and chemical engineers interested in the basics of biodegradable plastic production.

Foreword

- Pp. i-iii (3)
George Guo-Qiang Chen
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Preface

- Pp. iv-xiii (10)
Martin Koller
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List of Contributors

- Pp. xiv-xv (2)
Martin Koller
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Novel Inexpensive Feedstocks from Agriculture and Industry for Microbial Polyester Production

- Pp. 3-99 (97)
Stanislav Obruca, Pavla Benesova, Dan Kucera, Ivana Marova
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PHA Biopolyester Production from Surplus Whey: Microbiological and Engineering Aspects

- Pp. 100-174 (75)
Martin Koller, Lukas Marsalek, Gerhart Braunegg
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Biopolyesters and Related Valuable Products in Phototrophic Microbes

- Pp. 175-225 (51)
Péter B. Kós, András Fülöp, Gábor Rákhely
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Biopolymer Production by Mixed Microbial Cultures: Integrating Remediation with Valorization

- Pp. 26-264 (239)
Luísa Seuanes Serafim, Diogo Queirós, Simona Rossetti, Paulo Costa Lemos
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Ralstonia Eutropha and the Production of Value Added Products: Metabolic Background of the Wild-Type Strain and its Role as a Diverse, Genetically-Engineered Biocatalyst Organism

- Pp. 265-347 (83)
Christopher J. Brigham, Abdulrahman A. Kehail, Jacob D. Palmer
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PHBHV Biosynthesis by Haloferax mediterranei: from Genetics, Metabolism, and Engineering to Economical Production

- Pp. 348-379 (32)
Hua Xiang
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Bacterial Genetic Modifications for Improving Polyhydroxyalkanoates Production from Inexpensive Carbon Sources

- Pp. 380-435 (56)
Sergio Casella, Lorenzo Favaro, Marina Basaglia
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Medium-Chain-Length Poly-3-hydroxyalkanoates

- Pp. 436-473 (38)
Bruce A. Ramsay
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Subject Index

- Pp. 474-490 (17)
Martin Koller
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