Stimulation of PHB Production in Chlorella vulgaris for Use as Bioplastic | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||||
| Article 101, Volume 29, Issue 4, July and August 2025, Page 1831-1855 PDF (1.17 MB) | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.444214 | ||||
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| Author | ||||
| El-Latif et al. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biodegradable polymer that naturally stores carbon and is produced by a variety of microorganisms, including certain algal species. It presents a viable alternative to conventional plastics due to its ability to degrade without leaving toxic residues. In this study, Chlorella vulgaris was used to optimize PHB production under varying light intensities and sodium acetate supplementation. The highest PHB yield was observed in the PHB-T3 treatment (1364µg/ g), compared to 850µg/ g in PHB-T1, indicating that the addition of sodium acetate significantly enhanced PHB synthesis. Following PHB extraction, three types of bioplastic films were produced: two from PHB extracts (PHB-T1 and PHB-T3) and one directly from C. vulgaris biomass. Among these, the C. vulgaris-based film exhibited superior physical characteristics—it was thicker, structurally more uniform, and free from surface cracks when compared to the PHB-derived films. All films demonstrated high solvent solubility at 60°C, suggesting enhanced thermal performance. Moisture absorption tests revealed that the C. vulgaris film had the highest absorption rate (25%), followed by PHB-T3 (15%) and PHB-T1 (10%), suggesting potential applications where water interaction is beneficial. Mechanical testing further highlighted the advantages of the C. vulgaris film, which exhibited greater tensile strength and elongation, making it more suitable for applications requiring both flexibility and durability. Biodegradability tests conducted in clay soil showed rapid degradation for all film types, confirming their environmental compatibility. Overall, the findings demonstrate the potential of PHB and C. vulgaris-based films in the development of sustainable materials. Each film type offers distinct advantages depending on the specific application, with C. vulgaris-derived films excelling in mechanical integrity and moisture responsiveness. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Chlorella; Bioplastic; PHB; Degradation; FTIR | ||||
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