Characterization and Enhanced Production of PHB from a Halophyte-Associated Bacillus cereus Strain

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Considering the importance of plant-associated microbes, this study was designed to explore the industrially important hydrolytic enzymes and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) synthesizing potential of a bacterial strain, Bacillus cereus S3, isolated from a halophyte, Aeluropus lagopoides (L.) Thwaites. Factors affecting PHB production were optimized using the Plackett–Burman design (PBD). Granules of PHB were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). B. cereus S3 produced 166.66 mg L –1 PHB under optimized conditions when pH 7, temperature 30 °C, incubation time 48 h, 10% (v/v) inoculum size, and 1% (w/v) lactose were used. The granular structure of PHB was observed under SEM. Results of FTIR showed that OH, CH, C–O, C═O, and CH 2 were present in PHB. This study revealed the ability of the bacterium associated with A. lagopoides to efficiently produce a PHB polymer that can be used to manufacture biodegradable plastics.