The production of Poly(hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) from organic wastewater by a
composite anaerobic acidification-fermentation system was developed and th
e degree of acidification and products distribution were examined. The prod
uction of PHA from acidified wastewater was examined in both batch and fed-
batch fermentation. Butyric acid was the most suitable acid for Alcaligenes
eutrophus growth and PHA accumulation. Over 99% acidification and favourab
le organic acid distribution in the effluent of an acidogenic UASB was obta
ined at 40 degrees C and pH 5.7. The amount of PHA accumulated in A. eutrop
hus on the acidified and concentrated wastewater in fed-batch fermentation
was 10 g/l, accounting for 63.3% of cell mass. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Lt
d. All rights reserved.