Location: Sustainable Biofuels and Co-products Research
Project Number: 8072-30600-001-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: May 29, 2025
End Date: May 28, 2030
Objective:
Objective 1: Develop an -omics based and process engineering strategy to optimize fermentative processes associated with biosurfactant synthesis.
Objective 2: Develop chemical and biological modification strategies to alter polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer properties for targeted applications.
Objective 3: Develop research strategies to utilize agricultural fibers and pyrolysis derived biochar in the production of various biopolymer composites.
Approach:
This project aims to enhance the utilization of low-value agricultural byproducts to create new and improve production capabilities for two classes of biobased materials: glycolipid biosurfactants and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers, both of which possess properties equivalent to many petroleum-based materials but are biodegradable. The valorization of agricultural byproducts generates additional revenue streams for farmers and reduces production costs for the industry. In addition, research efforts will enable the development of new commercial uses for these materials and provide new outlets for select large-volume agricultural byproducts (e.g., biochar, lignocellulosic fiber). Under the proposed project, an
omics-based platform will be utilized to assess the genotypic capabilities of select microbes so that production capacity can be initiated or improved. Then, process engineering strategies will be used to synthesize select glycolipids and PHA biopolymers that can be employed as surface-active materials and antimicrobial agents and utilized in structural applications. PHA biopolymers will be derivatized for property control and combined with pyrolysis streams or agricultural fibers to form green composites with tunable properties. The proposed research will generate new knowledge, advance technologies, and environmentally friendly processes, as well as develop new applications and products from agricultural byproducts. Independently and collaboratively, all products will be tested and refined for targeted applications to expand markets and make U.S. agriculture more competitive in the global economy.