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.