Abstract
In the present study, the ability of Rhodococcus equi for polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production was closely observed in the presence of crude palm kernel oil as a carbon source. Gas chromatography analysis proved that the biopolymer was a homopolymer that comprised of 38% polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). The melting temperature (at 173°C) and glass transition temperature (at 2.79 °C) of PHA was determined using differential scanning calorimetry analysis, and the decomposition temperature (at 276°C) was determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The gel permeation chromatography revealed the average molecular weight (M) to be at 6.42 KD, the number average weight (M) at 373 KD, and the polydispersity (M/M) to be at 1.91. The present study demonstrated the use of an inexpensive substrate for PHB production by gram- positive bacteria that limited the study previously for the production of PHB polymer, which was analyzed by the polymer's thermal properties and molecular mass.
Recommended Citation
Altaee, Nadia; Fahdil, Ayad; Sudesh, Kumar; and Yousif, Emad
(2015),
STUDY OF THE THERMAL PROPERTIES AND MOLECULAR MASS OF POLYHYDROXYBUTYRATE PRODUCED BY RHODOCOCCUS EQUI,
Yanbu Journal of Engineering and Science: Vol. 11:
Iss.
1, 9-16.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53370/001c.24292
Available at:
https://yjes.researchcommons.org/yjes/vol11/iss1/2
