Polyhydroxyalkanoate production by indigenously isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa using glycerol by-product of KCDL biodiesel as an inexpensive carbon source

Abstract

Increasing global concerns over plastic waste disposal and environmental awareness has already highlighted Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA’s) as an increasingly attractive bioplastic option. In this regard, the present investigation aims to highlight the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate by Pseudomonas aeruginosa BPC2 (GeneBank entry: JQ866912) using a glycerol by-product as an inexpensive carbon source. The glycerol by-product was generated via the production of biodiesel from kitchen chimney dump lard (KCDL). The strain was also cultured in media comprising other carbon sources like glycerol (commercial), sugar cane molasses and glucose for comparative PHA yield. An appreciable PHA accumulation up to 22.5 % of cell dry weight was found when the bacterium was cultured in media comprised of glycerol by-product. The extracted bacterial biopolymer was further characterized by FTIR, GC-MS, GPC and TGA. The experimental results of the study warrant the feasibility of bacterial biopolymer production using glycerol by-product as an inexpensive carbon source.