Principles of Glycerol-Based Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production

The article addresses the contemporary quest for inexpensive carbon feedstocks to be used for cost efficient biomediated polymer production such polymers can potentially be applied in the food technology sector, mainly for packaging purposes. In particular, the work shines a light on crude glycerol, a surplus stream of the globally tremendously emerging biodiesel industry. Crude glycerol can be upgraded to a convenient substrate for microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate production without interfering with food- or feed production. The article covers the challenges of using crude glycerol as a feedstock in biotechnology, and gives an insight into the metabolic background of glycerol-based polyhydroxyalkanoate production. Particularities of glycerol-based polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis, such as the characteristic formation of low-molecular mass polyesters, and the resulting impact on polymer processing, are also discussed in this review.