Biosynthesis of poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoates by Sphingopyxis chilensis S37 and Wautersia sp. PZK cultured in cellulose pulp mill effluents containing 2,4,6-trichlorophenol.
Poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoates (PHA) polymer is synthesized by different bacterial species. There has been considerable interest in the development and production of biodegradable polymers; however, the high cost of PHA production has restricted its applications. Kraft cellulose industry effluents containing 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (10 or 20 microg ml(-1)) were used by the bacteria Sphingopyxis chilensis S37 and Wautersia sp. PZK to synthesize PHA. In this condition, S. chilensis S37 was able to grow and degrade 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (ca. 60%) and 80% of these cells accumulated PHA. Wautersia PZK completely degraded 2,4,6-TCP and more than 90% of the cells accumulated PHA in 72 h. The PHA detection was performed by flow cytometry and polyester composition was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), indicating that these polymers are made by 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid for S37 and PZK strains, respectively. Results demonstrated that strains' growth and PHA production and composition are not modified in cellulose effluents with or without 2,4,6-TCP (10-20 microg ml(-1)). Therefore, our results indicate that S. chilensis S37 and Wautersia sp. PZK are able to degrade a toxic compound such as a 2,4,6-TCP and simultaneously produce a valuable biopolymer using low-value substrates.
Tobella
Lorena M
LM
Laboratorio de Biorremediación, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla, 160-C, Chile.
Bunster
Marta
M
Pooley
Amalia
A
Becerra
José
J
Godoy
Felix
F
Martínez
Miguel A
MA
D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D002482:Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000378:metabolism; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D049921:Cupriavidus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007218:Industrial Microbiology; D007220:Industrial Waste; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D042301:Sphingomonadaceae / Q000378:metabolism*
D001704:Biopolymers; D002733:Chlorophenols; D007220:Industrial Waste; D011091:Polyesters; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D002482:Cellulose; C024564:2,4,6-trichlorophenol; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid