A two-stage biological gas to liquid transfer process to convert carbon dioxide into bioplastic

Israa Al Rowaihi, Benjamin Kick, Stefan W. Grötzinger, Christian Burger, Ram Karan, Dirk Weuster-Botz, Jörg Eppinger, Stefan T. Arold

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The fermentation of carbon dioxide (CO2) with hydrogen (H2) uses available low-cost gases to synthesis acetic acid. Here, we present a two-stage biological process that allows the gas to liquid transfer (Bio-GTL) of CO2 into the biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Using the same medium in both stages, first, acetic acid is produced (3.2 g L−1) by Acetobacterium woodii from 5.2 L gas-mixture of CO2:H2 (15:85 v/v) under elevated pressure (≥2.0 bar) to increase H2-solubility in water. Second, acetic acid is converted to PHB (3 g L−1 acetate into 0.5 g L−1 PHB) by Ralstonia eutropha H16. The efficiencies and space-time yields were evaluated, and our data show the conversion of CO2 into PHB with a 33.3% microbial cell content (percentage of the ratio of PHB concentration to cell concentration) after 217 h. Collectively, our results provide a resourceful platform for future optimization and commercialization of a Bio-GTL for PHB production.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)61-68
Number of pages8
JournalBioresource Technology Reports
Volume1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 6 2018

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