Photosynthetic microorganisms producing polyhydroxyalkanoates: Production, extraction, biosynthesis and alternative application in active packaging incorporated with essential oils

Abstract

Biopolymers have vast applicability, besides being biodegradable sources and presenting relatively shorter life cycles when compared to fossil energy sources. Some of these biopolymers are polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a class of polymers with the ability to form plastic membranes, similar to petrochemical plastics. Several studies suggest that microalgae/cyanobacteria are types of photosynthetic microorganisms that can be used to obtain PHAs at a lower cost because they have minimal nutritional requirements for growth and are naturally photoautotrophic, meaning they use light and CO 2 as their main energy sources. Furthermore, microalgae have potential for high productivity, are tolerant to changes in environmental conditions, and can be cultivated in areas unsuitable for agriculture. These PHA plastic membranes produced by these photosynthetic microorganisms can be an alternative for constructing a functional film with great antimicrobial characteristics when incorporated with essential oils, the famous active packaging, the future of packaging industries. This work demonstrates the production, extraction, biosynthesis, and application perspectives of these biopolymers in packaging industries, such as films incorporated with essential oils.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.008-001