Abstract:
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a type of biodegradable plastic which can be
synthesized by bacteria under limited nutrient and excess carbon source.
Approximately 11 strains isolated from brackish water in University Malaysia
Terengganu canal were screened to determine potential PHA production using Nile
red dye. Results showed three strains, Massilia haematophila, Mangrovibacter
plantisponsor, and Novosphingobium panipatense, were produced poly(3-
hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), a common PHA. These strains were tested for the
production of P(3HB) using three renewable carbon sources, which are glucose,
sweetwater and glycerol. Massilia haematophila produced 33.75 ± 4.49 wt% and 9.83
± 1.60 wt% P(3HB) from glucose and glycerol respectively. Massilia plantisponsor
produced 12.14 ± 3.52 wt% from glucose, and N. panipatense produced 10.53 ± 3.2
wt% P(3HB) when supplemented with sweetwater. P(3HB) polymer in M
haematophila and M plantisponsor freeze-dried cell pellets were extracted using
solvent extraction method. All strains showed ability in converting industrial waste or
by-products to valuable biodegradable material as a more beneficial approach in
waste management.
