Process for maximizing PHA production in glycogen accumulating organisms

US8187462B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• OTV SA · FR

Inventors

• Simon Olof Harald Bengtsson · Lund, SE
• Alan Gideon Werker · Lomma, SE
• Paulo Alexandre da Costa Lemos · Agualva-Cacém, PT
• Maria Ascensao Carvalho Fernandes de Miranda Reis · Lisboa, PT

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 12, 2010
• Grant date: May 29, 2012
• Expiry date: Jan 13, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12P39/00
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process is provided for increasing the production of PHA in a mixed culture biomass. In a first stage of the process, organic material associated with a substrate is converted to volatile fatty acids. In the case of a wastewater treatment process, if the wastewater includes sufficient volatile fatty acids (VFAs) to support the process, then it is unnecessary to convert organic material to VFAs. In a second stage of the process, an anaerobic-aerobic selection process is utilized to select glycogen accumulating organisms that cause these organisms to proliferate and dominate the open mixed culture biomass. By providing relatively high organic loading in the form of VFAs in the anaerobic treatment phase of the selection process, glycogen accumulating organisms having a relatively high level of stored glycogen are produced. In a third stage, the PHA accumulation process is practiced where the glycogen rich organisms are fed VFAs under anaerobic or aerobic conditions or combinations thereof. Through the consumption of externally supplied VFAs and internally stored glycogen, relatively high levels of PHA in the biomass are produced. Thereafter PHA is separated from the residual biomass…