Scientists at the University of Barcelona have produced a biodegradable bioplastic from unprocessed potato starch in a single 24-hour step, a development that could help reduce reliance on petroleum-based plastics.
The research, published in Bioresource Technology, focuses on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable biopolymer derived from renewable sources. The team engineered the bacterium Bacillus subtilis to convert potato starch, an abundant and low-cost agricultural by-product, directly into PHB. No pre-processing of the starch was required.
Bacillus subtilis is a safe, non-pathogenic microorganism widely used in industrial biotechnology. Until now, its potential for PHB production had been largely unexplored. Previous studies showed PHB accumulation below 13% of dry cell weight, too low for commercial viability.
Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, the team rewired the bacterium’s internal chemistry to boost PHB production. They introduced key genes to increase polymer accumulation and added one called amyQ, which produces an enzyme that breaks starch down into usable building blocks. In lab tests, the modified bacterium reached 51.8% PHB of dry cell weight, a purity level comparable to commercial standards.
The study was led by Pere Picart, a professor at the UB’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, with contributions from Mercedes Berlanga of the same faculty and UB’s Biodiversity Research Institute.
PHB helps close the carbon cycle and reduces persistent plastic waste in terrestrial and marine environments. Life-cycle studies suggest bio-based plastics carry a lower carbon footprint than many petrochemical alternatives, particularly when made from waste-derived feedstocks.
“Technologies such as this represent a real opportunity to turn an environmental problem into a valuable resource, contributing to a more circular and decarbonized economy,” the research team said.
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