Novel Description of mcl-PHA Biosynthesis by Pseudomonas chlororaphis from Animal-Derived Waste

A novel description of mcl-PHA biosynthesis by Ps. chlororaphis from tallow-based biodiesel as an inexpensive carbon feed stock is presented. Fermentation protocols, kinetic analysis, an efficient product recovery strategy, and product characterization are included. Maximum specific growth rates (μmax.) of 0.08 h−1, 0.10 h−1 and 0.13 h−1, respectively, were achieved in three different fermentation set-ups. Volumetric productivity for mcl-PHA amounted to 0.071 g/L h, 0.094 g/L h and 0.138 g/L h, final intracellular PHA contents calculated from the sum of active biomass and PHA from 22.1 to 29.4 wt.-%, respectively. GC-FID analysis showed that the obtained biopolyester predominantly consists of 3-hydroxyoctanoate and 3-hydroxydecanoate, and, to a minor extent, 3-hydroxydodecanoate, 3-hydroxynonanoate, 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and 3-hydroxyheptanoate monomers. The overall distribution of the monomers remained similar, regardless to working volumes, biodiesel concentrations and pre-treatment of the inoculum.

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► Pseudomonas chlororaphis was investigated for production of mcl-PHA latex under controlled conditions on bioreactor scale
► A surplus material, namely saturated biodiesel fraction from animal waste lipids, was used as the sole carbon source
► A detailed kinetic analysis of the bioprocess is provided
► Productivity of the mcl-PHA latex is competitive to other mcl-PHA producing organisms on expensive carbon sources.