Production and Analysis of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) by Bacillus megaterium Using Pure Carbon Substrates

This study examined the production of polyhydroxybutyrate by Bacillus megaterium isolated from garden soil. The isolates were screened for the presence of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) inclusions using Sudan Black B stain and subsequently examined on different sugars to find out the best carbon source for PHB production. The PHB produced were extracted with chloroform and analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS). Bacillus megaterium accumulated PHB with varied pure substrates. The results of the GCMS recorded 21 different biodegradable compounds that were produced by the organisms with 9- Octadecanoic acid (Stearic acid), n-Hexadecanoic acid and 9-Octadecanoic acid (Oleic acid) as the major compounds.