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Published on: June 29, 2017
Production and characterization of a biodegradable polymer, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), using the
Ok Kyung Lee1, Seung Gi Kang1, Tae-Rim Choi2
1Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
The production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) through the biological conversion of methane is a promising solution to address both methane emissions and plastic waste. Type II methanotrophs naturally accumulate a representative PHA, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), using methane as the sole carbon source. In this study, we aimed to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV copolymer) with improved properties compared with PHB, using the type II methanotroph, Methylocystis sp. MJC1. We optimized the pH, valerate concentration, and valerate supply time in a one-step cultivation process using a gas bioreactor to enhance PHBV copolymer production yield and the 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) molar fraction. Under the optimal conditions, the biomass reached 21.3 g DCW/L, and PHBV copolymer accumulation accounted for 41.9 % of the dried cell weight, with a 3HV molar fraction of 28.4 %. The physicochemical properties of the purified PHBV copolymer were characterized using NMR, FTIR, TGA, DSC, and GPC.
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