title: Characterization of PHB storage in activated sludge extended filamentous bacteria by automated colour image analysis.
abstract: The storage of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) in extended filamentous bacteria from activated sludge was monitored by Sudan Black staining: PHB granules were blue in the reddish filaments counterstained by safranin. By quantitative image analysis of colour images grabbed on an optical microscope, the distribution of the PHB loading of the extended filaments was estimated by determination of the proportion of blue pixels of their skeleton. The method was applied for different feed compositions to demonstrate its ability to monitor the PHB synthesis and storage capacity of filamentous bacteria in mixed cultures. Fast PHB storage, within a few hours, could be observed with acetate-based feeding solutions but the storage rate decreased with more complex feeds (meat extract based feed, wastewater).
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Sciences du Génie Chimique, CNRS-ENSIC-INPL, 1, rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001, Nancy cedex, France.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pandolfi
authors.forename: Marie-Noëlle
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Pons
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: da Motta
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D012722:Sewage; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014867:Water; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D001391:Azo Compounds; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011091:Polyesters; D012722:Sewage; D014867:Water; C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates; C016118:Sudan Black B