Novel description of mcl-PHA biosynthesis by Pseudomonas chlororaphis from animal-derived waste.

A novel description of mcl-PHA biosynthesis by Ps. chlororaphis from tallow-based biodiesel as an inexpensive carbon feed stock is presented. Fermentation protocols, kinetic analysis, an efficient product recovery strategy, and product characterization are included. Maximum specific growth rates (µmax.) of 0.08 h(-1), 0.10 h(-1) and 0.13 h(-1), respectively, were achieved in three different fermentation set-ups. Volumetric productivity for mcl-PHA amounted to 0.071 g/L h, 0.094 g/L h and 0.138 g/L h, final intracellular PHA contents calculated from the sum of active biomass and PHA from 22.1 to 29.4 wt.-%, respectively. GC-FID analysis showed that the obtained biopolyester predominantly consists of 3-hydroxyoctanoate and 3-hydroxydecanoate, and, to a minor extent, 3-hydroxydodecanoate, 3-hydroxynonanoate, 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and 3-hydroxyheptanoate monomers. The overall distribution of the monomers remained similar, regardless to working volumes, biodiesel concentrations and pre-treatment of the inoculum.

Mathematical modeling of poly[(R)-3-hydroxyalkanoate] synthesis by Cupriavidus necator DSM 545 on substrates stemming from biodiesel production.

Two low structured mathematical models for fed-batch production of polyhydroxybutyrate and poly[hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate] by Cupriavidus necator DSM 545 on renewable substrates (glycerol and fatty acid methyl esters-FAME) combined with glucose and valeric acid, were established. The models were used for development/optimization of feeding strategies of carbon and nitrogen sources concerning PHA content and polymer/copolymer composition. Glycerol/glucose fermentation featured a max. specific growth rate of 0.171 h(-1), a max. specific production rate of 0.038 h(-1) and a PHB content of 64.5%, whereas the FAME/valeric acid fermentation resulted in a max. specific growth rate of 0.046 h(-1), a max. specific production rate of 0.07 h(-1) and 63.6% PHBV content with 4.3% of 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) in PHBV. A strong inhibition of glycerol consumption by glucose was confirmed (inhibition constant ki,G=4.28×10(-4) g L(-1)). Applied concentration of FAME (10-12 g L(-1)) positively influenced on PHBV synthesis. HV/PHBV ratio depends on applied VA concentration.