Abstract

Hydrolysate cassava peel obtained from agro-industrial residues was used as a carbon source in the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) byCupriavidus necator. The optimum culture conditions were pH 9, a C/N ratio of 11, and a C/P ratio of 7. Characterization of the PHA polymers by FTIR, DSC and GC-MS revealed copolymers consisting of 3HB and 3HV monomers with melting temperatures (Tm) between 100 and 150 degrees C. Random and aligned microfibers with average diameters of 1.56 +/- 0.41 mu m and 1.72 +/- 0.52 mu m, respectively, were produced by electrospinning. In general, it was possible to obtain PHAs from cassava peel, and PHAs could be applied to produce fibers by electrospinning. The above strategy is an alternative use of agro-industrial cassava waste and opens up potential applications in the manufacture of biopolymers for their use in industry and biomedicine.