Philippine Journal of Science
151 (3): 1197-1209, June 2022
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 15 Nov 2022

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Extraction
Protocol Selection Using AHP-GRA

Princess J. Requiso^1,2, Ruby Lynn G. Ventura³,
Fidel Rey P. Nayve Jr.², and Jey-R S. Ventura¹*

¹Biomaterials and Environmental Engineering Laboratory,
Department of Engineering Science, College of Engineering
and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños,
College, Los Baños, Laguna 4031 Philippines
²National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH),
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Los Baños, Laguna 4031 Philippines
³University of the Philippines Rural High School, College of Arts and Science,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, Paciano Rizal 4033 Bay, Laguna, Philippines

*Corresponding author: jsventura@up.edu.ph

[Download]
Requiso P et al. 2022. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Extraction Protocol Selection
Using AHP-GRA. Philipp J Sci 151(3): 1197–1209. https://doi.org/10.56899/151.03.32

 

ABSTRACT

In this study, a sustainable protocol for PHA extraction was methodically selected using two multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tools, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and grey relational analysis (GRA). AHP was first used to evaluate the proposed criteria categorized into technical, economic, and environmental aspects using a collected survey of pairwise comparisons. Based on the results of AHP, it was identified that both environmental and economic aspects were given higher priorities. Among the criteria, hazards and risks had the highest overall importance, followed by extraction cost and purity. Using GRA, 12 protocol alternatives categorized into solvent extraction and precipitation, non-PHA cell mass (NPCM) digestion, and assisted extraction methods were graded according to the criteria. Overall, the highest priority weights were given to NPCM digestion protocols including sodium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide + sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and ammonia water. The reagents involved in these protocols are ecologically benign and cheaper compared to other solvents, hence the higher grades in the environmental and economic aspects. Sensitivity analysis also proved that these protocols are excellent, particularly if extraction cost is given a higher priority. However, if hazards and risks and purity were given more importance, butyl acetate is preferable to sodium hydroxide. Further investigations such as the validation and optimization of protocols, together with feasibility studies and life cycle analyses, may be integrated with the results of this study to comprehensively determine a sustainable PHA extraction protocol.