title: Increasing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) yields from Cupriavidus necator by using filtered digestate liquors.
abstract: The production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) using digestate liquor as culture media is a novel application to extend the existing uses of digestates. In this study, two micro-filtered digestates (0.22 μm) were evaluated as a source of complex culture media for the production of PHA by Cupriavidus necator as compared to a conventional media. Culture media using a mixture of micro-filtered liquors from food waste and from wheat feed digesters showed a maximum PHA accumulation of 12.29 g/l PHA, with 90% cell dry weight and a yield of 0.48 g PHA/g VFA consumed, the highest reported to date for C. necator studies. From the analysis of the starting and residual media, it was concluded that ammonia, potassium, magnesium, sulfate and phosphate provided in the digestate liquors were vital for the initial growth of C. necator whereas copper, iron and nickel may have played a significant role in PHA accumulation.
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Environment Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK. Electronic address: pearl.passanha@southwales.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Pearl
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Passanha
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Environment Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK. Electronic address: sandra.esteves@southwales.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Sandra R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Esteves
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Environment Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Gopal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kedia
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Environment Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dinsdale
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Environment Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Guwy
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003470:Culture Media; D020118:Cupriavidus necator / Q000378:metabolism*; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D005374:Filtration; D054813:Polyhydroxyalkanoates / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D054813:Polyhydroxyalkanoates
keywords: Digestate liquors; Nutrients; Polyhydroxyalkanoate production; Trace metals; Volatile fatty acids