Novel spectrophotometric technique for rapid determination of extractable PHA using Sudan black dye

Classical techniques employed to determine the amount of extractable poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s (PHAs) from cells, are laborious and destructive. Sudan black staining is commonly used in the laboratory to investigate the presence of intracellular PHA. The aim of the present study was to develop a low-cost alternative technique to achieve a quick determination of extractable intracellular PHA. This methodology employs a basic laboratory spectroscopy equipment and Sudan black dye for spectra determination. The correlation between the content of PHA in cell samples taken directly from the culture flask and its spectra was determined using partial least square regression analysis and simple linear regression analysis. The best fit obtained for calibration correlation analysis (R²=0.944, RSE: 1.24%), together with the good extractable PHA predictions (RSE=0.51%) demonstrate that the proposed methodology constitutes a fast way with high potential for the determination of extractable PHA. Based on its simplicity and flexibility, its application would be suitable in routine monitoring and rapid quantification in large-scale processes involving PHA metabolism.