Olive mill wastewater (OMW), a highly polluting waste from the olive oil industry, was utilized as sole carbon source for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) by extremely halophilic Haloferax Mediterranei (H. mediterranei) in a one stage cultivation step. H. mediterranei showed remarkable cell growth and tolerated the inhibitory effect of polyphenols present in medium containing 25% of OMW. H. mediterranei cultivation conditions were optimized in medium containing 15% OMW by investigating several parameters that affect the production of PHA. The highest polymer yield (0.2g/L) and PHA content (43% PHA/cell dry mass) were achieved at 37°C, 170rpm and 22% salt concentration. Analysis of the produced PHA revealed the production of copolyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBHV) containing 6.5mol% 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV). The production of PHBHV was observed without the need for fermentation step or adding external carbon source. The PHBHV displayed reduced melting points at 140.1°C and 154.4°C when compared to homopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate.
Keywords: Haloarchaea; Haloferax mediterranei; Olive mill wastewater; Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate); Polyhydroxyalkanoates.
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