PRODUCTION AND DEGRADATION OF BIOPLASTICS FROM AGRO-INDUSTRIAL WASTE BY PHA-PRODUCING MICROORGANISMS

Abstract

The increasing accumulation of conventional plastic waste in ecosystems constitutes one of the most urgent environmental crises of the 21st century, demanding sustainable alternatives to petroleum-derived polymers. This study investigates the production and degradation processes of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-type bioplastics from agroindustrial residues by specialized microorganisms, evaluating their technical, environmental, and economic viability. The methodology adopts a quali-quantitative approach, with physicochemical characterization of agroindustrial residues, cultivation of PHA-producing microorganisms in bench-scale bioreactors, and evaluation of biopolymer degradation in different simulated environments. Results demonstrate that Cupriavidus necator accumulates PHA at concentrations of 68.5% of dry cell mass when cultivated in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate supplemented with residual glycerol. Bioplastic degradation presents variable rates, reaching 92.1% in organic compost after 90 days. It is concluded that PHA production from agroindustrial residues represents a viable strategy to mitigate the conventional plastics crisis, although economic and operational challenges demand additional optimizations to enable implementation at industrial scale.