| Abstract: | A strain capable of producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) consisting of short- and medium-chain-length monomers was identified as Pseudomonas sp.coded as YS1.The strain synthesized PHAs containing monomers of hydroxybutyrate(HB or C4) and/or hydroxyoctanoate (HO or C8) and/or hydroxydecanoate (HD or C10) when grown in various substrates including glucose, raw sugar, molasses and various fatty acids.It was found that growth temperature affected the HB and HO monomer contents in the PHA.HB content in PHA increased from mole fraction 69% at 26℃ to mole fraction 85% at 37℃ while HO content decreased from mole fraction 29% at 26℃ to mole fraction 12% at 37℃.The temperature effect provides a simple and effective way to control the PHA composition and hence control the PHA mechanical and other physical properties.Also, the fermentor experiment indicated that PHB formation was growth associated and HO monomer production was in fact promoted by N-limitation.This conclusion was further supported by the fact that the formation of PHB only polyester was observed only when C/N molar ratio was smaller than 20.Higher C/N ratio led to the formation of HO monomers in the polyesters. |
