ISSN:
1476-5535
Keywords:
Keywords: Alcaligenes eutrophus; biodegradable plastics; poly(β-hydroxybutyrate); vegetable oil; Vernonia galamensis; vernolic acid
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
Saponified vernonia oil was converted exclusively to poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) by Alcaligenes eutrophus in a single-stage batch culture. After harvesting, centrifugation followed by lyophilization, the resulting dried cells contained up to 42.8 wt% PHB having a peak molecular mass of 381 863 Da, weight-average molecular mass of 308 390 Da, and a polydispersity of 1.1. The PHB had a melting point (Tm) range of 163–174°C with a maximum at 172°C (lit. Tm, 175°C), and heat of fusion of 18.43 cal g−1. Fermentation performed under varying conditions of nitrogen limitation indicated that there was no significant effect of nitrogen concentration on the molecular mass of PHB produced from vernonia oil by A. eutrophus.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.jim.2900555
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