Synthesis of Environmental Bioplastic Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from Waste Glycerol, Palm Oil and Different Concentrations of Glucose by A New Strain Propionibacterium Sp.

Propionibacteria have mainly been found in dairy products and on the skin of humans and animals. This genus classified as non-producing PHA but in this study we show that Propionibacterium sp. can produce PHA.  A member of the genus Propionibacterium was isolated from soil. The isolate was identified based on its gram positive pleomorphic rods. Cells occur short chains, singly or in pairs, in V or Y configurations. On mineral salt agar colonies are semi-opaque, convex, glittering and often pigmented in orange in color, biochemical tests and 16SrDNA also done. The 16SrDNA analysis confirmed 85% identity to Propionibacterium (accession number NR 074675.1). The presence of 3HB was identified, based on the analysis of NMR. 13C and 1H NMR analysis confirmed that Propionibacterium sp was able to produce PHA.polymer. These confirm the results of GC. The isolate was then grown on media with waste glycerol (WG), palm oil, different concentration of glucose and one stage and two stages of cultivation. This lead to the conclusion that Propionibacterium is able to grow utilizing waste glycerol, palm oil and different concentration of glucose as the sole carbon source under limited conditions. The PHA content 3 (wt%) and the composition (mol%) and (86% 3HB) when used glucose 2% at frist stage cultivation. while the PHA content 13 (wt %) when used palm oil and 5 (wt%) when utilized (WG), as sole carbon source.