Statistical optimisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate production in Bacillus endophyticus using sucrose as sole source of carbon

Microorganisms have been contemplated as a promising source for the inexhaustible synthesis of many novel materials utilizing renewable sources. Among many of such products, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) remains as an essential biodegradable polymer with functions similar to conventional plastics. Bacillus endophyticus is capable of accumulating biopolymer PHA in nutrient limiting conditions with excess of carbon source. Screening and optimizing the parameters for increased PHA production was done statistically. The optimized medium gave a maximum yield of 46.57% which was in well agreement with the given predicted value provided by response surface methodology model yield of 47.02%. Optimal media conditions when extrapolated in bioreactor gave an even higher production percentage of 49.9. This is the first report highlighting 49% of polyhydroxybutyrate statistically using sucrose as a source. The main highlight of the study was the use of wild type strain for producing high quality PHA using simple carbon source which can be a starting platform for using this strain for large scale PHA production industrially. FTIR and (1)HNMR analysis confirmed the polymer produced.