Involvement of polyhydroxyalkanoates in stress resistance of microbial cells: Biotechnological consequences and applications

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are polyesters accumulated by numerous prokaryotes as storage materials; they attract attention as “green” alternatives to petrochemical plastics. Recent research has demonstrated that their biological role goes beyong their storage function, since they presence in cytoplasm enhances stress resistance of microorganisms. To address these complex functions, this review summarizes the protective effects of PHA for microrganisms; the involvement of PHA in stress resistance is discussed also from a praxis-oriented perspective. The review discourses the controlled application of stress to improve PHA productivity. Also the manifold advantages of using stress adapted microbes - extremophiles as PHA producers are discussed.