Poly (3-Hydroxybutyrate) Production from Crude Oil by Haloarcula sp. IRU1: Optimization of Culture Conditions by Taguchi Method

Abstract

Petroleum contamination is a widespread and well-recognized global environmental threat to human health and ecosystems. Haloarcula sp. IRU1 was cultivated axenically in synthetic liquid media with crude oil as sole carbon and energy source. After 5 days' incubation, cell dry weight (CDW) and poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) production were studied by conventional methods. The optimized conditions for the maximum production of PHB were temperature 47°C, crude oil 2%, yeast extract 0.4%, and NaH₂PO₄, 0.016% as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus sources, respectively. In conclusion, Haloarcula sp. IRU1 can biodegrade crude oil and use it as a carbon source for PHB production.