A.PARAPTA DAS AND A K. PAUL
Abstract
Production of poly (3-hydroxbutyric acid) [P(3HB)] by Azotobacter beijerinckii WDN-01 were conducted in batch culture using oil cake extract as substrate. Growth of the organism in aqueous extracts of oil cakes as sole source of nutrients was in general poor but improved with Norris mineral salt solution supplementation. In aqueous extracts of linseed and mustard oil cakes the organism accumulated more than 30% (w/v) P(3HB) of their dry cell mass. In both extracts, maximum accumulation was achieved after cessation of active phase of growth but linseed oil cake was preferred over that of mustard for production of more P(3HB) and reduction of time span for maximum production. The results suggested utilization of linseed and mustard oil cakes as cheaper and renewable sources of nutrients for production of P3HB) using A. beijerinckii WDN-01.