Bacterial synthesis of poly(hydroxybutyrate‐ co‐hydroxyvalerate) using carbohydrate‐rich mahua (Madhuca sp.) flowers

Aims:  The objective of the present work was to utilize an unrefined natural substrate namely mahua (Madhuca sp.) flowers, as a carbon source for the production of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymer by Bacillus sp-256. Methods and Results:  In the present work, three bacterial strains were tested for PHA production on mahua flower extract (to impart 20 g l−1 sugar) amongst which, Bacillus sp-256 produced higher concentration of PHA in its biomass (51%) compared with Rhizobium meliloti (31%) or Sphingomonas sp (22%). Biosynthesis of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) – P(HB-co-HV) – of 90 : 10 mol% by Bacillus sp-256 was observed by gas chromatographic analysis of the polymer. Major component of the flower is sugars (57% on dry weight basis) and additionally it also contains proteins, vitamins, organic acids and essential oils. The bacterium utilized malic acid present in the substrate as a co-carbon source for the copolymer production. The flowers could be used in the form of aqueous extract or as whole flowers. PHA content of biomass (%) and yield (g l−1) in a 3·0-l stirred tank fermentor after 30 h of fermentation under constant pH (7) and dissolved oxygen content (40%) were 54% and 2·7 g l−1, respectively. Corresponding yields for control fermentation with sucrose as carbon source were 52% and 2·5 g l−1. The polymer was characterized by proton NMR. Conclusions:  Utilization of mahua flowers, a natural substrate for bacterial fermentation aimed at PHA production, had additional advantage, as the sugars and organic acids present in the flowers were metabolized by Bacillus sp-256 to synthesize P(HB-co-HV) copolymer. Significance and Impact of the Study:  Literature reports on utilization of suitable cheaper natural substrate for PHA copolymer production is scanty. Mahua flowers used in the present experiment is a cheaper carbon substrate compared with several commercial substrates and it is rich in main carbon as well as co-carbon sources that can be utilized by bacteria for PHA copolymer production.