Browsing by Author "Prof. Dr. Robina Farooq"

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    Synthesis and Yield Optimization of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from Sugarcane Molasses using the Bacterium Priestia Megaterium DSM 3228
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Ayesha Khalid; SP23-R06-008; Prof. Dr. Robina Farooq; LHR TP 9468
    The polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) act as intracellular energy storage substances in many prokaryotes. These bio-based polymers biodegradable and biocompatible. Short and medium chain length PHAs are industry produced by m icroorganisms and their enzymes . Short-chain length PHA is produced by the well-known bacterium Priestia megaterium (previously Bacillus megaterium). The goal of the study is to optimize PHA yield and improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process by examining different concentrations of carbon and nitrogen compounds . At a pH of 7 and temperature 37°C, the culture medium supplemented with 17 g/L sugarcane molasses as the carbon source and 0.05 g/L ammonium sulphate as the nitrogen source produced a maximum PHB of 0.95 g/L. The investigation has shown that FTIR can be used as an indirect method for determining the presence of PHB. The FTIR analysis confirmed the biopolymer's structure as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by detecting the presence of methyl, methylene, hydroxyl, and ester carbonyl groups. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and their monomeric components were identified using GC-MS chromatography.
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    Synthesis of PHAs using Sucrose and Decanoic acid by Pseudomonas Putida Bacteria: A Dual Carbon Approach
    (2025) Linta Azmat CIIT/FA23-R06-014/LHR; Prof. Dr. Robina Farooq; LHR TP 9689
    While threatening human health through airborne pollutants, contaminated drinking water, and microplastic exposure, conventional plastics made from petrochemicals create serious risks for terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric ecosystems. During of the COVID-19 epidemic, the demand for sustainable alternatives has been increased, therefore increasing the importance of biodegradable plastics as there was more need of plastics materials in especially in medicals. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), well-known for their biodegradability, renewability, biocompatibility, and thermoplastic elastomeric qualities, have become specially produced material as the substitutes of conventional plastic. Particularly interesting for commercial purposes among these are medium-chain-length PHAs (mcl-PHAs), generated by bacteria like Pseudomonas species. Using dual carbon substrates including sucrose and decanoic acid, this work seeks to maximize mcl-PHA synthesis via fed-batch fermentation with Pseudomonas putida. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) helped to reach optimization by focusing on carbon substrate and nitrogen source levels as critical parameters. Gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GCMS) and FTIR was used to identify the generated mcl-PHAs, which showed a major composition of 3-hydroxydecanoate and 3-hydroxyundecanoate as well as traces of 3- hydroxydedecanoate and 3-hydroxyhexonate monomers, therefore verifying their medium chain length synthesis. RSM optimization analysis verified results showing a startling 68% rise in mcl- PHA yield above baseline levels. These results show the potential of this combined technique for scaled, environmentally friendly biopolymer manufacture, therefore providing a sustainable road to reduce the ecological effects of traditional polymers.