Harnessing Brewery Spent Grain for Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production

The utility of brewery spent grain (BSG), a byproduct of the beer production process, for the synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), is a significant advancement towards sustainable and cost-effective biopolymer production. This paper reviews the upcycling potential of BSG as a substrate for PHA...

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Main Authors: Robe D. Terfa, Priyanshi N. Patel, Hwidong D. Kim, Matthew D. Gacura, Gary Vanderlaan, Longyan Chen, Xiaoxu Ji, Davide Piovesan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-06-01
Series:Macromol
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/4/3/26
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author Robe D. Terfa
Priyanshi N. Patel
Hwidong D. Kim
Matthew D. Gacura
Gary Vanderlaan
Longyan Chen
Xiaoxu Ji
Davide Piovesan
author_facet Robe D. Terfa
Priyanshi N. Patel
Hwidong D. Kim
Matthew D. Gacura
Gary Vanderlaan
Longyan Chen
Xiaoxu Ji
Davide Piovesan
author_sort Robe D. Terfa
collection DOAJ
description The utility of brewery spent grain (BSG), a byproduct of the beer production process, for the synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), is a significant advancement towards sustainable and cost-effective biopolymer production. This paper reviews the upcycling potential of BSG as a substrate for PHA production, utilizing various biotechnological approaches to convert this abundant waste material into high-value biodegradable polymers. Through a comprehensive review of recent studies, we highlight the biochemical composition of BSG and its suitability for microbial fermentation processes. This research delves into different methodologies for PHA production from BSG, including the use of mixed microbial cultures (MMCs) for the synthesis of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), a critical precursor in PHA production, and solid-state fermentation (SSF) techniques. We also examine the optimization of process parameters such as pH, temperature, and microbial concentration through the application of the Doehlert design, revealing the intricate relationships between these factors and their impact on VFA profiles and PHA yields. Additionally, this paper discusses challenges and future perspectives for enhancing the efficiency and economic viability of PHA production from BSG. By harnessing the untapped potential of BSG, this research contributes to the development of a circular economy model, emphasizing waste valorization and the creation of sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.
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spelling doaj-art-2f79ed373e3248fd9a2248e5bd625f0c2025-08-20T01:55:38ZengMDPI AGMacromol2673-62092024-06-014344846110.3390/macromol4030026Harnessing Brewery Spent Grain for Polyhydroxyalkanoate ProductionRobe D. Terfa0Priyanshi N. Patel1Hwidong D. Kim2Matthew D. Gacura3Gary Vanderlaan4Longyan Chen5Xiaoxu Ji6Davide Piovesan7Department of Biomedical Industrial and Systems Engineering, Gannon University, Erie, PA 16541, USADepartment of Biomedical Industrial and Systems Engineering, Gannon University, Erie, PA 16541, USADepartment of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gannon University, Erie, PA 16541, USADepartment of Biology, Gannon University, Erie, PA 16541, USADepartment of Biology, Gannon University, Erie, PA 16541, USADepartment of Biomedical Industrial and Systems Engineering, Gannon University, Erie, PA 16541, USADepartment of Biomedical Industrial and Systems Engineering, Gannon University, Erie, PA 16541, USADepartment of Biomedical Industrial and Systems Engineering, Gannon University, Erie, PA 16541, USAThe utility of brewery spent grain (BSG), a byproduct of the beer production process, for the synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), is a significant advancement towards sustainable and cost-effective biopolymer production. This paper reviews the upcycling potential of BSG as a substrate for PHA production, utilizing various biotechnological approaches to convert this abundant waste material into high-value biodegradable polymers. Through a comprehensive review of recent studies, we highlight the biochemical composition of BSG and its suitability for microbial fermentation processes. This research delves into different methodologies for PHA production from BSG, including the use of mixed microbial cultures (MMCs) for the synthesis of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), a critical precursor in PHA production, and solid-state fermentation (SSF) techniques. We also examine the optimization of process parameters such as pH, temperature, and microbial concentration through the application of the Doehlert design, revealing the intricate relationships between these factors and their impact on VFA profiles and PHA yields. Additionally, this paper discusses challenges and future perspectives for enhancing the efficiency and economic viability of PHA production from BSG. By harnessing the untapped potential of BSG, this research contributes to the development of a circular economy model, emphasizing waste valorization and the creation of sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/4/3/26solid-state fermentationmixed microbial culturevolatile fatty acidsolid-state enzymatic hydrolysis
spellingShingle Robe D. Terfa
Priyanshi N. Patel
Hwidong D. Kim
Matthew D. Gacura
Gary Vanderlaan
Longyan Chen
Xiaoxu Ji
Davide Piovesan
Harnessing Brewery Spent Grain for Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production
Macromol
solid-state fermentation
mixed microbial culture
volatile fatty acid
solid-state enzymatic hydrolysis
title Harnessing Brewery Spent Grain for Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production
title_full Harnessing Brewery Spent Grain for Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production
title_fullStr Harnessing Brewery Spent Grain for Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing Brewery Spent Grain for Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production
title_short Harnessing Brewery Spent Grain for Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production
title_sort harnessing brewery spent grain for polyhydroxyalkanoate production
topic solid-state fermentation
mixed microbial culture
volatile fatty acid
solid-state enzymatic hydrolysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/4/3/26
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