Synthesis and Yield Optimization of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from Sugarcane Molasses using the Bacterium Priestia Megaterium DSM 3228

Abstract

The polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) act as intracellular energy storage substances in many prokaryotes. These bio-based polymers biodegradable and biocompatible. Short and medium chain length PHAs are industry produced by m icroorganisms and their enzymes . Short-chain length PHA is produced by the well-known bacterium Priestia megaterium (previously Bacillus megaterium). The goal of the study is to optimize PHA yield and improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process by examining different concentrations of carbon and nitrogen compounds . At a pH of 7 and temperature 37°C, the culture medium supplemented with 17 g/L sugarcane molasses as the carbon source and 0.05 g/L ammonium sulphate as the nitrogen source produced a maximum PHB of 0.95 g/L. The investigation has shown that FTIR can be used as an indirect method for determining the presence of PHB. The FTIR analysis confirmed the biopolymer's structure as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by detecting the presence of methyl, methylene, hydroxyl, and ester carbonyl groups. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and their monomeric components were identified using GC-MS chromatography.