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Conversion of agricultural feedstock and coproducts into poly(hydroxyalkanoates)

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Abstract

Aside from their importance to the survival and general welfare of mankind, agriculture and its related industries produce large quantities of feedstocks and coproducts that can be used as inexpensive substrates for fermentative processes. Successful adoption of these materials into commercial processes could further the realization of a biorefinery industry based on agriculturally derived feedstocks. One potential concept is the production of poly(hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) polymers, a family of microbial biopolyesters with a myriad of possible monomeric compositions and performance properties. The economics for the fermentative production of PHA could benefit from the use of low-cost agricultural feedstocks and coproducts. This mini-review provides a brief survey of research performed in this area, with specific emphasis on studies describing the utilization of intact triacylglycerols (vegetable oils and animal fats), dairy whey, molasses, and meat-and-bone meal as substrates in the microbial synthesis of PHA polymers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fats, Oils and Animal Coproducts Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA, 19038, USA

    Daniel K. Y. Solaiman, Richard D. Ashby, Thomas A. Foglia & William N. Marmer

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  1. Daniel K. Y. Solaiman
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  2. Richard D. Ashby
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  3. Thomas A. Foglia
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  4. William N. Marmer
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Correspondence to Daniel K. Y. Solaiman.

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Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Solaiman, D.K.Y., Ashby, R.D., Foglia, T.A. et al. Conversion of agricultural feedstock and coproducts into poly(hydroxyalkanoates). Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 71, 783–789 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-006-0451-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-006-0451-1

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