OPTIMIZATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF PHB PRODUCTION USING PEELS AS SUBSTRATES by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Introduction: Polyhydroxy butyrate, a family of new generation of biobased, biodegradable, eco-friendly plastic has become an alternative for petrochemical derived plastic.

Objective: These are produced by few bacteria. This study was conducted to evaluate the use of waste peels of fruits and vegetables as substrates by PHB producing bacteria.

Methods: Bacteria isolated from soil of different regions were screened for PHB production by sudan black screening method. Few vegetable and fruit peels were used as substrates for PHB production, confirmed by GC-MS analysis. 16s rRNA sequencing was performed to confirm the isolate.

Results: Among the several isolates, P1, P2 and P3 were found to be efficient PHB producers. Among the isolates chosen for PHB production using cheaper agro-wastes, P3 was found to be highly productive. GC-MS analysis revealed that 1,2 benzene dicarboxylic acid to be the major compound, whose peak area was 92.29%. 16s rRNA sequencing revealed P3 isolate to be Acinetobacter calcoaceticus.

Conclusion: Thus our work has revealed that Acinetobacter calcoaceticus is a potential candidate for PHB production using various peels as substrate.