Integrated production of biopolymers with industrial wastewater treatment: Effects of OLR on process yields, biopolymers characteristics and mixed microbial community enrichment

The production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) using industrial wastewaters as feedstocks is a current and challenging topic. This study investigated the biopolymers by mixed microbial culture under different OLRs equal to 1 kgCOD m?3d?1 (Period 1), 2 2) 3 3). maximum PHA content was achieved in Period (0.38 gPHA gTSS?1), whereas lower values were obtained (0.13 gTSS?1) (0.26 gTSS?1). Overall, productivity resulted 0.08 L?1 h?1 (P2), 0.05 (P1) 0.04 (P3), respectively. molecular weight increased from (250 kDa) (417 KDa) (463 KDa), although resulting slight decrease crystallinity degree. Microbial community analysis revealed reduction bacterial diversity progressive shift with increasing OLR. Alpha-diversity indexes based on Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) at 99% identity higher species richness (Taxa (S) 280) (Shannon (H) 4,06) 1, characterized reduced dominance 133, Shannon 2,40). Based results obtained, it pointed out that OLR variation determined significant effects process performances, well quality biopolymers. means key control parameter maximize physical-chemical characteristics polymers.