Biosynthesis and charecterization of polymers from cider by-products. Bacterial cellulose-based nanocomposites.

Abstract

In this work the use of cider by-products from the Basque Country as a main carbon source for thebiosynthesis of bacterial biopolymers has been assessed. Bacterial cellulose, a bacterial polysaccharide,and polyhydroxyalkanoates, bacterial polyesters, have been biosynthesized applying concepts ofbiotechnology using by-products from cider production. The obtained biopolymers have beencharacterized and used for the preparation of materials with tailored properties for specific applications indifferent fields: water cleaning processes, biomedicine and food packaging. Additionally, the extractionof polyphenolic compounds from the cider by-products has been performed to develop films withantioxidant properties for food packaging applications. The aim of the present work is to provide analternative for the valorization of by-products from the cider production by the development of anintegrated procedure to obtain high value-added biopolymers applying biotechnology concepts.