Food Industrial Waste Streams: From Waste to Resource for Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Production
摘要
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are promising alternatives to conventional petrochemical-based plastics due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and versatility. However, their widespread adoption is limited by high production costs, primarily attributed to the cost of carbon substrate. This chapter introduces the characteristics of PHAs and their production processes, and highlights the challenges at each production stage. The potential of food industrial waste streams as cost-effective and sustainable sources for PHA production is explored. The discussion includes conventional management practices for food waste streams and their associated limitations and pretreatment approaches to enhance the bioavailability of these waste streams for PHA-producing microorganisms. Additionally, this chapter presents the potential of various food waste streams as carbon sources for PHA synthesis. Integrating food waste management with PHA production aligns with the approach of circular economy, promoting sustainable development through resource recovery and utilization, while mitigating environmental impacts.