Bacterial polymer extraction and purification from a mix culture (Patent pending)
The challenge: To selectively recover and purify the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a group of polyesters, which were present in a bacterial biomass. The process should avoid chloroform and maintain the quality of the original biodegradable polymer which has numerous applications in sustainable packaging.
The solution: Activatec developed a 3-steps process including a chemical digestion of non-PHA biomass with a range of various chemicals followed by solvent extraction with an environmentally benign solvent and a PHAs precipitation using an antisolvent.
Status: Technology demonstrated in operation
The results The polymer extracted meets the KPI requirements defined by the end-user with a purity of over 95% and a recovery efficiency of around 75%.
Power in Numbers
95
% Purity
75
% Recovery
