Two-stage microaerophilic continuous stirred tank reactors for polyhydroxyalkanoates production by mixed microbial cultures

Title

Two-stage microaerophilic continuous stirred tank reactors for polyhydroxyalkanoates production by mixed microbial cultures

Speaker

Tianyu Zou (2^nd year MSc Student in Environmental Engineering)

Supervisor

Prof. Eran Friedler (Technion, CEE) and Assoc. Prof. Xiaowu Huang (GTIIT, ESE) 

Time and Location

Thursday, September 12 2024, 15:45-16:30 (China time) or 10:45-11:30 (Israel time), R202, North Campus

Zoom Meeting

https://gtiit.zoom.us/j/8129031250?omn=91780285966

Abstract

In the wake of swift population explosion and people’s living standards, plastic pollution has emerged as a pressing concern on a global scale. The quest for sustainable alternatives has led to a pressing demand of biodegradable polymers, e.g., polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). PHAs, a class of biodegradable polyesters, are produced by various microorganisms as a carbon and energy storage material. This research aims to develop a novel two-stage micro-aerated mixed microbial culture (MMC) process for the efficient production of PHAs. The focus of this research is to enhance PHA production efficiency while addressing economic and stability challenges associated with traditional industrial-scale fermentation processes and eventually supports the MMC-facilitated PHAs synthesis.