FORMATION OF POLY(3-HYDROXYALKANOATES) BY PHOTOTROPHIC AND CHEMOLITHOTROPHIC BACTERIA

The formation of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoic acid), PHA, by various strains of chemolithotrophic and phototrophic bacteria has been examined. Chemolithotrophic bacteria were grown aerobically under nitrogen-limiting conditions on various aliphatic organic acids. Phototrophic bacteria were grown anaerobically in the light on a nitrogen-rich medium and were subsequently transferred to a nitrogen-free medium containing acetate, propionate, valerate, heptanoate or octanoate as carbon source. All 41 strains investigated in this study were able to synthesize and accumulate PHA. All 11 strains of chemolithotrophic bacteria and all 15 strains belonging to the non-sulfur purple bacteria synthesized a polymer, which contained 3-hydroxy-valerate (3HV) beside 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), if the cells were cultivated in the presence of propionate, valerate or heptanoate. Many non-sulfur purple bacteria synthesized copolyesters of 3HB and 3HV even with acetate as carbon source. In contrast, most sulfur purple bacteria did not incorporate 3HV at all. Among 15 strains tested, only Chromatium vinosum strain 1611, C. purpuratum strain BN5500 and Lamprocystis roseopersicina strain 3112 were able to synthesize polyesters containing 3HV with propionate, valerate or heptanoate as carbon source.