Improved intracellular PHA determinations with novel spectrophotometric quantification methodologies based on Sudan black dye.

The presence of intracellular polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) is usually studied using Sudan black dye solution (SB). In a previous work it was shown that the PHA could be directly quantified using the absorbance of SB fixed by PHA granules in wet cell samples. In the present paper, the optimum SB amount and the optimum conditions to be used for SB assays were determined following an experimental design by hybrid response surface methodology and desirability-function.

Modeling the bioconversion of starch to P(HB-co-HV) optimized by experimental design using Bacillus megaterium BBST4 strain.

Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (P(HB-co-HV)) is a prominent biopolymer as a potential candidate for use in the biomedical area. Several Bacillus spp. strains show promising characteristics in the use of several carbon sources and are an interesting alternative for the production of P(HB-co-HV).

Novel spectrophotometric technique for rapid determination of extractable PHA using Sudan black dye.

Classical techniques employed to determine the amount of extractable poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s (PHAs) from cells, are laborious and destructive. Sudan black staining is commonly used in the laboratory to investigate the presence of intracellular PHA. The aim of the present study was to develop a low-cost alternative technique to achieve a quick determination of extractable intracellular PHA.