Harnessing fruit waste for poly-3-hydroxybutyrate production: A review

Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate is a biopolymer which has shown tremendous potential for replacing conventional petroleum-based plastics for plummeting the plastic pollution problem. However, the production cost of PHB is high which makes it less attractive for commercial use. To tackle this challenge, various researchers suggest the search for low-cost substrates and energy efficient technologies for PHB production. In this regard, the waste generated from fruit processing industries or fruit wastes could be pre-processed and fermented for effectively generating PHB. Therefore, the aim of this review was to focus on the methods of fruit waste pre-processing and the effect of fermentation variables on PHB production using fruit waste as a substrate. The relevant research findings on the use of different microorganisms, PHB production conditions and fruit waste-based substrates are also covered. Analysis of various studies revealed that pineapple and mixed fruit waste are effective for PHB production.

Automated summary

Utilizing fruit waste for PHB production is an effective method, with pineapple and mixed fruit waste shown to be effective substrates. Future research should focus on the pre-processing of fruit waste and the impact of fermentation conditions on PHB production.