title: Occurrence of poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyalkanoates in the genus Bacillus.
abstract: A range of Bacillus strains were examined for their ability to accumulate poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyalkanoates (poly-HAKs) which are naturally occurring materials that are optically active, biodegradable thermoplastics. The organisms could produce poly-D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate (poly-HB) up to 50% of cell dry weight. The content of poly-HB in the cells varied with the growth conditions. The addition of propionate or valerate in the culture resulted in a synthesis of poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyvalerate (poly-HV). All the strains tested had the ability to synthesize the co-polyester poly-HB-co-HV.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Austria.
authors.forename: G Q
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lafferty
mesh_terms: D000421:Alcaligenes / Q000378:metabolism; D001407:Bacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D006880:Hydroxy Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006880:Hydroxy Acids; D011091:Polyesters