Efficient and economical production of polyhydroxyalkanoate from sustainable rubber wood hydrolysate and xylose as co-substrate by mixed microbial cultures

[Display omitted] •Co-substrate strategy of wood hydrolysate and xylose promoted PHA accumulation.•The addition of xylose created a favorable screening of PHA dominant strains.•High PHA production of 1849 mg COD/L and HV proportion of 14% were obtained.•Higher conversion yield of COD-to-PHA of 0.933 g COD PHA/g COD S was achieved.•Co-substrate can save 72.3% carbon source to produce PHA with the same output. Using co-substrate to accumulate polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is an efficient approach to reduce production cost and improve yield of PHA. In the study, PHA was biosynthesized under full aerobic mode by using rubber wood hydrolysate and xylose co-substrate as the carbon source. The effects of co-substrate on PHA production, microbial community and carbon conversion were explored. The results showed that proper addition of xylose was beneficial for the synthesis of PHA and monomer 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV). Higher conversion yield of substrate-to-PHA (YPHA/S) of 0.933 g COD PHA/g COD S and PHA content of 43.6 g PHA/100 g VSS were gained at co-substrate ratio of 1:1. Likewise, under this condition, PHA production also reached the highest value of 1849 mg COD/L (1088 mg/L). Moreover, the addition of xylose created a favorable screening of PHA dominant strains, improved the conversion of carbon source, and saved 72.3% of feedstock consumption.