<i>Haloferax mediterranei</i> for bioplastics production from wasted materials: potential, opportunities, and challenges

Abstract

This chapter explored the potential of Haloferax mediterranei , a halophilic archaeon, as a sustainable biocatalyst for polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production from waste ma- terials. PHAs, biodegradable bioplastics, offer an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum- based plastics but face commercialization challenges due to high production costs and feedstock variability. H. mediterranei addresses these issues with its ability to thrive in high-salinity environments, reducing contamination risks and sterilization costs, while metabolizing diverse, low-cost waste-derived substrates. The chapter details H. mediter- ranei s tolerance of inhibitors, high PHA yields, efficient downstream processing, and adaptability to continuous fermentation systems. Challenges, including substrate and product inhibition, can be addressed through innovative pretreatment and fermentation strategies. The chapter also highlighted H. mediterranei s versatility in producing valuable co-products like carotenoids and extracellular polymeric substances, explored its role in high-salinity wastewater treatment, and emphasized its upscaled application potential, thereby paving the way for scalable, eco-friendly bioplastic production.