Effect of dissolved oxygen concentration in the fermentation medium on transformation of the carbon sources during the biosynthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxypropionate) by Alcaligenes latus.

Effects of fermentation conditions on the comonomer composition and its distribution of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxypropionate) [P(3HB-co-3HP)] have been investigated for bacterial synthesis of P(3HB-co-3HP)s by Alcaligenes latus from sucrose and 3-hydroxypropionate (3HPA) mixed carbon sources. Comparison of the microstructures of these samples drew a conclusion that when the concentration of oxygen dissolved (DO) in the fermentation medium was controlled between 5 and 20% (based on the concentration at saturation), the 3HP content and the comonomer compositional distribution (CCD) of the copolymer would not be influenced by the DO values. The concentration of the carbon sources was monitored during the fermentation. The results indicated that the comonomer composition and its distribution of P(3HB-co-3HP)s were interrelated to the amounts of carbon sources transported into the bacterial cells. When the bacteria consumed more sucrose, the more 3HPA they would utilize, and the broader the CCD of the copolymer would be. Furthermore, the efficiencies of the transformation of the two carbon sources to the copolymer constituents were found to be similar.