New research reveals sustainable bioplastic production using cyanobacteria-rich microbiomes

In the global search for sustainable solutions to plastic pollution, a newly published study, supported by PROMICON, reveals a promising method for bioplastic production utilising cyanobacteria-rich microbiomes. The research investigates the use of photosynthetic microbiomes, enriched with cyanobacteria, for the long-term synthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

This study demonstrates the potential of non-sterile, cyanobacteria-enriched cultures cultivated in photobioreactors to produce up to 28% PHB per dry cell weight (dcw) over a continuous 108-day cycle. By alternating between biomass growth and PHB accumulation, researchers successfully maintained productive cultures over an extended period, addressing one of the key bottlenecks in industrial-scale bioplastic production.

This paper written by researchers from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia challenges conventional approaches to bioplastic production, which typically rely on expensive, sterile monocultures. By using a natural microbial community under non-sterile conditions, the study opens new avenues for cost-effective and scalable PHB production, offering a viable solution for industries looking to reduce their reliance on traditional plastics.

To explore the full study, access the article here.

Altamira-Algarra, B., Lage, A., Meléndez, A. L., Arnau, M., Gonzalez-Flo, E., & García, J. (2024). Bioplastic production by harnessing cyanobacteria-rich microbiomes for long-term synthesis. Science of The Total Environment, 954, 176136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176136