Unlocking Growth Potential in Halomonas bluephagenesis for Enhanced PHA Production with Sulfate Ions.

Abstract

The mutant strain H. bluephagenesis (TDH4A1B5P) was found to produce PHA under low-salt, non-sterile conditions, but the yield was low. To improve the yield, different nitrogen sources were tested. It was discovered that urea was the most effective nitrogen source for promoting growth during the stable stage, while ammonium sulfate was used during the logarithmic stage. The growth time of H. bluephagenesis (TDH4A1B5P) and its PHA content were significantly prolonged by the presence of sulfate ions. After 64 hours in a 5-liter bioreactor supplemented with sulfate ions, the dry cell weight of H. bluephagenesis weighed 132 g/l and had a PHA content of 82%. To promote the growth and PHA accumulation of H. bluephagenesis (TDH4A1B5P), a feeding regimen supplemented with nitrogen sources and sulfate ions with ammonium sodium sulfate was established in this study. The dry cell weight was 124 g/L, and the PHA content accounted for 82.3% (w/w) of the dry cell weight, resulting in a PHA yield of 101 g/L in a 30-liter bioreactor using the optimized culture strategy. In conclusion, stimulating H. bluephagenesis (TDH4A1B5P) to produce PHA is a feasible and suitable strategy for all H. bluephagenesis.