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The Use of Azohydromonas lata DSM 1122 to Produce 4-hydroxyvalerate-Containing Polyhydroxyalkanoate Terpolymers, and Unique Polymer Blends from Mixed-Cultures with Burkholderia sacchari DSM 17165

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Abstract

Azohydromonas lata DSM 1122 was utilized to synthesize short-chain-length (scl-) polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) terpolymers containing 3-hydroxybutyric (3HB) acid, 3-hydroxyvaleric (3HV) acid, and 4-hydroxyvaleric (4HV) acid from mixtures of glucose (GLC; 1 wt%) and levulinic acid (LevA; 0–0.4 wt%). LevA media concentrations greater than 0.4% completely inhibited cellular growth. At LevA concentrations ≤ 0.4%, the 3HV polymer content remained constant (3–5 mol%). The 4HV content was two-fold higher in the polymers derived from the 0.2% LevA-containing cultures reaching a maximum of 9 mol% (vs. 4 mol% in the 0.4% LevA-containing cultures). Polymer molecular weights (based on number-average molecular weight, Mn) were smallest (Mn = 240,000 g/mol) when synthesized in the presence of 0.2% LevA. At 0.4% LevA and at 1% GLC the average Mn values were 43% and 87% larger than the polymers synthesized in the presence of 0.2% LevA, respectively. Mixed-cultures containing A. lata and Burkholderia sacchari DSM 17165, a known poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-block-3-hydroxyvalerate (P3HB-block-3HV) producer, using LevA media concentrations ≤ 0.4% and staggered inoculations resulted in scl-PHA polymer mixtures with improved tensile properties. The results of this study show that LevA can be utilized in combination with simple sugars to produce unique scl-PHA terpolyesters and scl-PHA mixtures with enhanced properties.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Nicole Crocker, Jennifer Thomas, and Nick Latona for their technical assistance throughout the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA, 19038, USA

    Richard D. Ashby, Daniel K. Y. Solaiman & Gary D. Strahan

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  1. Richard D. Ashby
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  2. Daniel K. Y. Solaiman
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  3. Gary D. Strahan
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Correspondence to Richard D. Ashby.

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Ashby, R.D., Solaiman, D.K.Y. & Strahan, G.D. The Use of Azohydromonas lata DSM 1122 to Produce 4-hydroxyvalerate-Containing Polyhydroxyalkanoate Terpolymers, and Unique Polymer Blends from Mixed-Cultures with Burkholderia sacchari DSM 17165. J Polym Environ 27, 198–209 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-018-1332-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-018-1332-2

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