Takeshi Shiotani

Biosynthesis and Characterization of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co -3-hydroxyhexanoate) from oils and fats by Aeromonas sp.OL-338 and Aeromonas sp.FA-440

SUMMARY We screened the bacteria which have a capability to utilize oils and fats from the soil or activated sludge. As a result, 58 strains that accumulated some polyester in those cells were isolated from 466 strains that utilized oils and fats. Among the 5 8 strains, two strains (OL-338 strain and FA-440 strain) were found that they can accumulate the copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) in these cells, and also found that they are both belong to aeromonad. The above copolymer was synthesized when the fatty acid more than twelve carbon number is given as a carbon source in the cultivation and the thermal property of this copolymer was different from that of P(3HB- co -3HV) or P(3HB- co -4HB).