Biotechnology for Zero Waste – Emerging Waste Management Techniques (Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain (editor) etc.)

Integrated Approaches for the Production of Biodegradable

Plastics and Bioenergy from Waste

Chandan Kumar Sahu, Mukta Hugar, and Ravi Kumar Kadeppagari

Centre for Incubation, Innovation, Research and Consultancy (CIIRC), Department of Food Technology, Jyothy

Institute of Technology, Tataguni, Off Kanakapura Main Road, Bangalore, 560082, India

2.1

Introduction

Production of biomaterials and bioenergy from the waste has reduced the environ-

mental burden with respect to waste. Organic waste is highly valuable renewable

source for the production of bioethanol or bioplastics which can be derived by

fermenting organic waste with specific microorganisms. Technologies have added

value to the waste by leading to biopolymers, biogas, biohydrogen, industrial chem-

icals, etc., from organic waste. Few biopolymers are getting produced through the

accumulation of exopolysaccharides (EPS) on some microorganisms. Biopolymers

are used in the manufacturing of packaging materials for food, chemical, cosmetics,

and other industries. Biopolymers can also be used as absorbents and lubricants [1].

Biopolymers are produced by living cells and can be classified into three main

classes such as polynucleotides, polypeptides, and polysaccharides. Polypeptides

and proteins are polymers of amino acids and polysaccharides are linear or

branched polymeric carbohydrates (starch, cellulose, alginate, etc.). The polyhy-

droxyalkanoates (PHAs), polylactides, and aliphatic polyesters are identified as

bioplastic polymers due to their similarity in physical and chemical properties to

conventional synthetic plastic. The production of PHA can be done using bacteria

[1–3]. The promising results were obtained when wastewater and organic wastes

like molasses, starch waste, dairy waste, food waste, etc., used for the production of

biopolymers and bioenergy (biomethane and biohydrogen). Such waste substrates

can be simultaneously used for the production of bioenergy and biopolymers [1].

Deriving of biodegradable plastics and bioenergy from waste is shown in Figure 2.1.

2.2

Food Waste for the Production of Biodegradable

Plastics and Biogas

Sugarcane, potato, corn, and mixed food wastes can be efficiently used for the

production of biodegradable plastics (PHAs). Biogas can be produced through the

Biotechnology for Zero Waste: Emerging Waste Management Techniques, First Edition.

Edited by Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain and Ravi Kumar Kadeppagari.