Statistical Optimization of Polyhydroxybutyrate Production by Bacillus Pumilus H9 Using Cow Dung as a Cheap Carbon Source by Response Surface Methodology

A gram positive bacterium (designated strain H9) found to be a potential polyhydroxybutyrate (biodegradable polymer) producer was isolated from the soil samples of a stress prone environment (municipal waste areas). This bacterium was identified as Bacillus pumilus H9 from its morphological, physiological and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. A four-factor central composite rotary design was employed to optimize the medium and to find out the interactive effects of four variables, viz. concentrations of cow dung, sucrose, peptone and pH on PHB production. Using response surface methodology, a second-order polynomial equation was obtained by multiple regression analysis and a yield of 2.47 g/L of PHB dry weight was achieved from the optimized medium at pH 7. Here, we report cow dung as a cheap carbon source for the production of PHB. Further, phbA, phbB and phbC genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction which confirms the bacterium to be able to produce polyhydroxybutyrate.