The synergy of catalysis and biotechnology as a tool to modulate the composition of biopolymers (polyhydroxyalkanoates) with lignocellulosic wastes

An integrated method coupling of heterogeneous and biological catalysis has proven effective for producing biopolymers using lignocellulosic urban solid waste as feedstock. Catalysts based on cheap earth-abundant metals, such Fe, Mg, Ca, or Zr with basic acid properties, were used in the pre-treatment step, phototrophic mixed cultures chosen step. By changing catalysts composition, reaction temperature, loading, high performance was achieved under more optimal lignocellulose waste, a conversion up to 86%, enriching phase lignin polymer. The liquid effluent photobioreactor yielded production PHA (up 36 wt% dry basis). characteristics polymer strongly dependent feed, composition which depended type previous A poof concept new biorefinery design been presented this work, showing that it is possible enhance advantages two different disciplines, catalysis, photoheterotrophic biotechnology.