Researchers have shown that Pseudomonas plecoglossicida MK-6 can produce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable plastic, using sugarcane molasses as the carbon source. The study, published in BMC Biotechnology, optimized conditions including 5% molasses, a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 8:1, pH 7, and 37 degrees Celsius, reaching a maximum PHB yield of 7.3 grams per liter. PHB is a promising alternative to petrochemical plastics, but production costs have historically been a barrier. Using a common agro-industrial waste product could lower those costs while turning a waste stream into a valuable material. The researchers also used response surface methodology to refine the fermentation process and confirmed the extracted polymer's structure as PHB through FT-IR analysis. The strain was isolated from dumping soil and identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This work demonstrates a feasible route for low-cost bioplastic production, though scale-up to industrial bioreactors and real-world molasses variability remain challenges. The study adds to the growing evidence that waste-derived feedstocks can support sustainable polymer manufacturing.
