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Microplastics a Novel Substratum for Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-Producing Bacteria in Aquatic Environments
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Researchers investigated microplastic surfaces as a novel habitat for bacteria that produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a biodegradable natural plastic. They isolated PHA-producing bacteria from microplastic-colonizing communities, suggesting microplastics in aquatic environments may inadvertently support bacteria capable of producing sustainable plastic alternatives.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) being biological polymers have attracted great attention. PHA have similar properties to that of synthetic plastic and are biodegradable. To discourage plastic pollution in the environment alternative solutions to the plastic pollution has to be readily available. High cost in production of PHA limits the production of these polymers at industrial scale. Bacteria are screened for PHA from diverse niches to meet the current requirements of cheap PHA production at industrial level. The microbial biofilm formed on the surface of microplastic could be a potential source in providing bacteria of economic importance. This paper is an attempt to search microplastic niche for potential PHA producers. PHA production variation was observed with different parameters such as type of carbon source, nitrogen source concentration and also time of incubation. Bacillus sp. CM27 showed maximum PHA yield up to 32.1% among other isolates at 48 h with 2% glucose as carbon source. Optimization of media leads to increase in PHA yield (37.69%) of CDW in Bacillus sp. CM27. Amino acid sequence of Bacillus sp.CM27 showed the presence of PhaC box with sequence, G-Y-C-M-G-G having cysteine in the middle of the box. The extracted polymer was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy.
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Researchers optimized conditions for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) — biodegradable bioplastics — from wastewater using bacteria under anaerobic-microaerobic conditions. Controlling pH and nutrient levels significantly improved PHA production yield. This work advances the development of sustainable plastic alternatives made from waste materials.
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