principles of glycerol-based polyhydroxyalkanoate production

the article addresses the contemporary quest for inexpensive carbon feedstocks to be used for cost efficient biomediated polymer production; such polymers can potentially be applied in the food technology sector, mainly for packaging purposes. in particular, the work shines a light on crude glycerol, a surplus stream of the globally tremendously emerging biodiesel industry. crude glycerol can be upgraded to a convenient substrate for microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate production without interfering with food- or feed production. the article covers the challenges of using crude glycerol as a feedstock in biotechnology, and gives an insight into the metabolic background of glycerol-based polyhydroxyalkanoate production. particularities of glycerol-based polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis, such as the characteristic formation of low-molecular mass polyesters, and the resulting impact on polymer processing, are also discussed in this review.