Characterisation of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Extracted from Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using Different Solvents

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) represent a class of biodegradable polymers with immense potential for mitigating environmental issues associated with conventional plastics. Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), an abundant byproduct of the palm oil industry, serves as an economically viable source for PHA production. This study focuses on the characterisation of PHA extracted from POME using a variety of solvents and solvent mixtures. The solvents employed in this research include mixtures of acetone (AC) and ethyl acetate (EA) in the ratios of 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75. The choice of solvent during the extraction process significantly influences the yield and properties of the extracted PHA. This research employs a systematic approach to assess the impact of different solvents on PHA yield. The extraction process involves the collection of POME samples from local palm oil mills, followed by the isolation of PHA using solvents of varying polarities. The extracted PHA was characterised using UV-Vis spectroscopy to determine the efficacy and purity of each solvent and solvent mixture in PHA extraction. The UV-Vis spectral analysis revealed distinct absorption peaks corresponding to the presence of PHA. The extraction efficiency and purity of the PHA varied significantly with the choice of solvent and solvent mixture. Acetone exhibited a strong absorption peak, indicating a high efficiency in PHA extraction, while ethyl acetate showed moderate results. Results indicated that the solvent mixture of AC and EA in a 25:75 ratio yielded the highest purity of PHA, 86%, with a loss of 14%. The findings are anticipated to inform the optimisation of solvent selection, furthering the goal of utilising POME as a valuable resource for environmentally friendly PHA production.