Formulación de la ruta de extracción y purificación para favorecer el rendimiento en la obtención de polihidroxialcanoatos (PHAs) a partir de ácidos grasos volátiles (AGVs) y cultivos mixtos de lodos de tratamiento de aguas residuales

Abstract

The research was conducted under the Minciencias Agreement No. 1016-2021, in collaboration with the National University of Colombia, ICETEX, and the Ministry of Science. An experimental design was implemented, preceded by a bibliographic review to select the appropriate reagents for the extraction and purification of PHA. PHA was obtained through a fermentation process involving the selection of PHA-producing microorganisms and the intracellular accumulation of PHA under previously established conditions. To reduce sterilization costs, sewage sludge from the "Salitre" wastewater treatment plant was used as a substrate, along with mixed microbial cultures. The results indicated that the best route for PHA extraction and purification included cell lysis with SDS at a ratio of 10 ml/g, followed by extraction with acetic acid at a ratio of 15 ml/g of lysed biomass, and finally, purification with methanol at a ratio of 100 ml/g of PHA. This methodology optimized the yield in obtaining polyhydroxyalkanoates.