Rapid Enrichment of Cupriavidus necator in Mixed Microbial Cultures Using Autotrophic Growth: Mixed Microbial Cultures for Biodegradable Polymer Production Using CO2 and Organic Wastes

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a biodegradable polymer that can replace petroleum-based plastics. Cupriavidus necator has been extensively utilized in industrial PHA production because the bacterium can grow and accumulate high amounts of PHA in their cells under heterotrophic and/or autotrophic growth conditions. Microbial PHA production using mixed cultures reduces the high PHA production costs and allows for the utilization of waste organics …