In response to the country’s challenges with plastic pollution, dwindling petroleum reserves, and global warming from fossil fuel combustion, the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has developed an innovative technology that addresses all three issues simultaneously.
According to the news report by O Heraldo. the new technology converts plastics into biodiesel using marine bacteria, which results in lower carbon emissions. This is achieved through a cutting-edge integrated bioreactor system, designed by Abhay B Fulke, a Senior Scientist at NIO’s Microbiology Division.
The effectiveness of this technology has been detailed in a study published in the Elsevier journal Bioresource Technology.
“This research focuses on the biodegradation of various plastics and involves two main components,” Fulke explained. “Firstly, we use highly efficient indigenous marine bacteria, Pseudomonas mendocina ABF786, to degrade plastics. The carbon dioxide (CO2) produced from this bacterial degradation is then converted into microalgal biodiesel in a second phase. We have also sequenced the genome of Pseudomonas mendocina ABF786, identifying the genes and enzymes involved in plastic degradation.”
Discussing the ‘Integrative Reactor’ technology, Fulke described the bioreactor system as having two distinct chambers. “In the first chamber, plastics are broken down by bacteria, producing CO2 as a by-product. This CO2 is then directed to a second chamber where it supports the cultivation of microalgae. The microalgal biomass is subsequently converted into biodiesel. CO2, a crucial nutrient for microalgae growth, is supplied from the plastic degradation process,” he said.
When asked about the technology’s capacity for converting plastics into biodiesel, Fulke noted, “In our laboratory, we have managed to convert between 16.67% and 19.17% of plastics into microalgal biomass, which can be used for producing biodiesel. This conversion rate could be increased with a continuous reactor of larger volume.”
Fulke added, “Our technology offers a green and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fuels by producing microalgal biodiesel. It not only addresses the issue of plastic pollution but also supports the use of environmentally friendly biofuels. The CO2 needed for microalgal growth is continuously supplied through plastic biodegradation, creating a sustainable cycle.”
