The fungus Rhizopus oryzae is growing in a fermentation broth supplemented by protein hydrolysate from poultry mortalities, producing the building block chemical lactic acid. Lactic acid can be polymerized into polylactic acid, a renewable bioplastic with many applications. The protein hydrolysate, which provides nitrogen and other nutrients to support fungal growth, is derived from a process called ambient alkaline hydrolysis (AAH). The combination of AAH and fermentation is a novel approach to valorizing waste biomass of animal origin, contributing towards sustainability in the agri-food sector.
