ACCUMULATION OF PHA AND ITS COPOLYESTERS BY METHYLOBACTERIUM SP KCTC-0048

Methylobacterium sp. KCTC 0048 isolated from soil, could synthesize a variety of copolyesters when secondary carbon substrates were added to nitrogen-limited cultures containing methanol as a major carbon and e nergy source. The copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyvalera te, P(3HB-co-3HV) accumulated when valeric acid, pentanol or heptanoic acid was added to the nitrogen-limited medium containing methanol. Th e copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxybutyrate, P(3HB-co-4HB ) was synthesized from 4-hydroxybutyrate, 1,4-butanediol, or gamma-but yrolactone, and the copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyprop ionate (P(3HB-co-3HP)), from 3-hydroxypropionate as the secondary carb on substrates, respectively.