PRODUCTION OF POLY-D(-)-3-HYDROXYBUTYRATE AND POLY-D(-)-3-HYDROXYVALERATE BY STRAINS OF ALCALIGENES-LATUS

Alcaligenes latus strains can accumulate poly-D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) up to about 85% of cell dry weight. The abilities to store poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHV) of three strains of A. latus were investigated. With Na-propionate as PHV precursor, strain A. latus DSM 1122 had better PHV accumulation ability than strains A. latus DSM 1123 and 1124. Strain A. latus DSM 1123 could store PHV when Na-valerate but not Na-propionate served as the PHV precursor. PHB and PHV accumulation by A. latus DSM 1124 rapidly increased when propionic acid and acetic acid were together added to the fermentor. This increase was not obtained in the culture shaker flask and fermentor growing the same strain when Na-propionate alone served as a PHV precursor.