Polyhydroxyalkanoates from pear (Pyrus communis L) waste by Bacillus subtilis

Abstract

Objective: Analyze the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by Bacillus subtilis sp., subtilis in submerged culture using pear residues as a carbon source.

Design/methodology/approach: The culture consisted of pear residue flour concentrations of 5 and 15 % for 72 h. Reducing sugars, biomass, pH, protein, and pHA extraction and quantification were analyzed during submerging cultivation of Bacillus subtilis sp., subtilis

Results: The results showed that Bacillus subtilis sp., subtilis can grow and generate PHA, having its maximum proportion in PHA extract of 0.094 g/L at 72h of culture, at a substrate concentration of 5%.

Study limitations/implications: More studies related to the optimization of culture conditions for PHA production are required and prior treatment of pear waste flour will be considered.

Findings/Conclusions: The synthesis of these biopolymers is important to promote their large-scale production using agro-industrial waste, thus contributing to reduce the environmental impact.