Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are eco-friendly plastics that are synthesized by bacteria as an intracellular storage material. Ethanol is a key compound in molecular weight regulation of PHA during biosynthesis. In this study, three strains of Escherichia coli expressing PHA synthase (PhaCRe, PhaCAc or PhaCHe) were cultured to compare the effect of ethanol level on PHA molecular weight. As a result, it was revealed that PhaCAc tends to produce low molecular weight PHA due to its high ethanol sensitivity whereas PhaCHe produces high molecular weight PHA even in the presence of ethanol.
- Ayaka Hiroe
- Masaya Shiraishi
- Takeharu Tsuge