Monday, June 2, 2008

CONVERSION OF CANE-DERIVED SUGARS INTO POLY(3-HYDROXYALKANOATES) (BIOPLASTICS)

R. Mungaroo, K.T.K.F. Kong Win Chang, A.S. Saumtally, J-F.Y. Moutia, M.H.R. Khoodoo and G.Triton
Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute, Reduit, Mauritius
rmungaroo@msiri.intnet.mu

Abstract

For the sustainability of the Mauritian sugar industry, more co-products need to be produced from sugarcane biomass. One of the co-products that is currently being investigated at the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI) is poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates), more commonly known as PHAs or bioplastics.
Cane juice, molasses and bagasse were chosen as raw materials for this study. The sucrose present in cane juice and molasses was quantitatively converted into simple sugars by dilute acids. Pretreated bagasse was converted into simple sugars by either acid or enzymatic hydrolysis, with emphasis being laid on the latter. Enzymes have been produced in situ by Trichoderma viride and T. harzianum. Media were prepared with the simple sugars obtained from the hydrolysis of sucrose and bagasse, and were inoculated with Ralstonia eutropha H16 G+ and Azospirillum spp. The bacterial cells were harvested, washed, freeze-dried and subjected to solvent extraction. Upon the removal of the solvents, biopolymers were obtained.
Once the yields for the production of simple sugars and PHAs have been optimized, the production of these biopolymers will be scaled up. Upon the successful completion of this study, the expertise will be shared with the sugar/plastic industry with the aim of making the commercial production of PHAs a reality in Mauritius. This could not only make the local sugar-cane industry more sustainable, but it could also enable the country to be less dependent on traditional petroleum-derived non-biodegradable (polluting) plastics.

KEYWORDS: Sugar-cane biomass, Hydrolysis, Ralstonia eutropha H16 G+, Azospirillum spp., Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates)
(ISSCT XXVIth CONGRESS Durban, South Africa 29th July - 2nd August 2007)
http://issct.intnet.mu/ComCop2007.htm

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