Accumulation of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate in Spirulina platensis

Poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate has been identified in the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. The addition of reduced carbon compounds to the growth medium was not required for poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate accumulation. Poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate accumulated during exponential growth to 6% of the total dry weight and then decreased during the stationary phase.