Polyhydroxyalkanoates production using canola oil by bacteria isolated from paper pulp industry

Bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are the biopolyesters that are produced under unfavorable conditions. Environmental samples were taken from paper pulp and mixed organic wastes of an industry for isolation of PHA producing bacterial strains. High PHA production ability was found in six strains belonging to Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Staphylococcus and Escherichia genera. The PHA production optimization of the stains was done at various concentrations of (NH₄)₂SO₄ (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%), pH (5, 6, and 7) and temperatures (4°C, 37°C, 45°C). Strain WC9 produced 19% PHA content from canola oil and 21% with glucose. Strain WC20 was found to produce 28% and 16% PHA content with glucose and canola oil respectively at 37°C, under 0.2% of (NH4)2SO4. Strain WC20 was found to belong to Pseudomonas spp. according to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. PCR amplification of the phaC gene was also successfully performed for the Pseudomonas sp. WC20.