Bacterial Alchemy: Turning Waste into Eco-Friendly Plastics
Rima Gnaim, TAU
Please join us for our next Monday departmental seminar on the 22nd of May from 15:00 to 16:00 at the Porter Auditorium
Bacterial Alchemy: Turning Waste into Eco-Friendly Plastics
Rima Gnaim, TAU
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a grave environmental issue that poses a threat to both ecosystems and human health. In light of this, the exploration of alternative biodegradable polymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) has gained significant traction. However, the high production cost of these polymers remains a key challenge. This upcoming seminar will delve into innovative approaches to address this issue, including the use of marine halophilic bacteria and various waste products as cost-effective carbon sources for PHA production. We will also discuss the development of green extraction and purification methods for PHA, along with a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) study. This research provides insights into the feasibility of large scale PHA production processes which are expected to pave the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future
BIO
Rima Gnaim is a PhD Student (Direct Track) in the Environmental Bioengineering Lab under the supervision of Prof. Alexander Golberg at Tel Aviv University
Alon Shepon
The Department of Environmental Studies
The Porter School of the Environment and Earth Science
Tel Aviv University | website
The Israeli Forum for Sustainable Nutrition
