Open AccessOccurrence of poly‐ d (−)‐3‐hydroxyalkanoates in the genus Bacillus
Author(s) -
Chen GuoQiang,
König KarlHeinz,
Lafferty Robert M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1991.tb04592.x
Subject(s) - propionate , valerate , polyester , bacillus (shape) , bacteria , chemistry , morphology (biology) , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology , fermentation , organic chemistry , butyrate , genetics
A range of Bacillus strains were examined for their ability to accumulate poly‐ d (−)‐3‐hydroxyalkanoates (poly‐HAKs) which are naturally occurring materials that are optically active, biodegradable thermoplastics. The organisms could produce poly‐ d (−)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (poly‐HB) up to 50% of cell dry weight. The content of poly‐HB in the cells varied with the growth conditions. The addition of propionate or valerate in the culture resulted in a synthesis of poly‐ d (−)‐3‐hydroxyvalerate (poly‐HV). All the strains tested had the ability to synthesize the co‐polyester poly‐HB‐co‐HV.