The use of NaCl addition for the improvement of polyhydroxyalkanoate production by Cupriavidus necator.
External stress factors in the form of ionic species or temperature increases have been shown to produce a stress response leading to enhanced PHA production. The effect of five different NaCl concentrations, namely 3.5, 6.5, 9, 12 and 15 g/l NaCl on PHA productivity using Cupriavidus necator has been investigated alongside a control (no added NaCl). A dielectric spectroscopy probe was used to measure PHA accumulation online in conjunction with the chemical offline analysis of PHA. The highest PHA production was obtained with the addition of 9 g/l NaCl, which yielded 30% higher PHA than the control. Increasing the addition of NaCl to 15 g/l was found to inhibit the production of PHA. NaCl addition can therefore be used as a simple, low cost, sustainable, non toxic and non reactive external stress strategy for increasing PHA productivity.
Sustainable Environment Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK. Electronic address: pearl.passanha@southwales.ac.uk.
Pearl
P
Passanha
Sustainable Environment Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK.
Gopal
G
Kedia
Sustainable Environment Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK.
Richard M
RM
Dinsdale
Sustainable Environment Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK.
Alan J
AJ
Guwy
Sustainable Environment Research Centre, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK. Electronic address: sandra.esteves@southwales.ac.uk.
Sandra R
SR
Esteves
D003470:Culture Media; D020118:Cupriavidus necator / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D054813:Polyhydroxyalkanoates / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*
D003470:Culture Media; D054813:Polyhydroxyalkanoates; D012965:Sodium Chloride
Cupriavidus necator; Dielectric spectroscopy; Polyhydroxyalkanoate production; Sodium chloride; Volatile fatty acids