Characterization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) produced by Cupriavidus necator in solid-state fermentation.
Solid-state fermentation (SSF) has recently been proposed as an alternative to submerged fermentation for the production of poly(hydroxyalkanoates). In the present work, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy were employed to investigate the chemical structure, as well as the thermal properties and the crystalline morphology of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) samples produced by SSF, using as raw material either soy cake or soy cake supplemented with 2.5% (m/m) sugarcane molasses. The results obtained showed that the biopolymer obtained by SSF presented the same properties as commercial PHB, except for the higher molar mass and the lower degree of crystallinity that were observed. Thus, the present data indicate that solid-state fermentation is an interesting alternative for the production of PHB, allowing the production of biopolymers with adequate properties from low-cost, renewable resources.
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), COPPE/Programa de Engenharia Química, Caixa Postal 68502, 21941-972 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Fabiane C
FC
Oliveira
Marcos L
ML
Dias
Leda R
LR
Castilho
Denise M G
DM
Freire
D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D049921:Cupriavidus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008965:Molasses / Q000032:analysis; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
D003470:Culture Media; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D011091:Polyesters; C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates