Extraction of PHA from Haematococcus sp. by using sonication method for bioplastic application

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the bioplastic made up of extracted polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from Haematococcus sp. by sonication method for application in bioplastic. The research was divided into cultivation of microalgae, extraction of PHA and characterisation of bioplastic film. The centrifugation of microalgae was done after 14 days of open-system cultivation. The extraction of PHA was done by using sonicator at 37 kHz, followed by purification using cold methanol and bioplastic film casting using carboxymethyl cellulase (CMC), extracted PHA and water. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) analysis showed the presence of oleic acid, hexadecenoic methyl ester and cis-13 eicosenoic acid. The functional group found in FTIR are C-H, O-H and C=C bonds related to the presence of PHA in the bioplastic and 40.46% degree of degradation proved the degradability properties stated in the past study would encounter the problems and alternative solutions for petroleum-based plastics.