Effect of the supplementation of metabolites on cell growth and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate biosynthesis of Alcaligenes latus

The characteristics of cell growth and poly--hydroxybutyrate biosynthesis of Alcaligenes latus ATCC 29713 were investigated. The PHB accumulation pattern of A. latus followed a growth-associated type where the cell growth and PHB accumulation were carried out simultaneously. Various intermediate compounds such as metabolites involved in the TCA cycle, amino acids, and saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were added to examine their effect on cell growth and PHB accumulation. Citrate, tyrosine, and palmitic acid showed the most significant increase both on cell growth and PHB accumulation. Maximum PHB concentrations were noticeably increased about 1.4 to 1.6 times higher than that of control, corresponding to 5.54, 6.45, and 6.45 g/l for citrate, tyrosine, and palmitic acid, respectively. The stimulatory effects of the supplemented metabolites were analyzed in terms of the increment of enzyme activities related to sugar catabolism and PHB biosynthesis.