1 research outputs found
Fast method for the determination of short-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (scl-PHAs) in bacterial samples by In Vial-Thermolysis (IVT)
none8siA new method based on the GC–MS analysis of thermolysis products obtained by treating bacterial
samples at a high temperature (above 270 C) has been developed. This method, here named “In-Vial-
Thermolysis” (IVT), allowed for the simultaneous determination of short-chain-length polyhydrox-
yalkanoates (scl-PHA) content and composition. The method was applied to both single strains and
microbial mixed cultures (MMC) fed with different carbon sources.
The IVT procedure provided similar analytical performances compared to previous Py-GC–MS and Py-
GC-FID methods, suggesting a similar application for PHA quantitation in bacterial cells. Results from the
IVT procedure and the traditional methanolysis method were compared; the correlation between the
two datasets was
fit for the purpose, giving a R2 of 0.975. In search of further simplification, the rationale
of IVT was exploited for the development of a “field method” based on the titration of thermolyzed
samples with sodium hydrogen carbonate to quantify PHA inside bacterial cells. The accuracy of the IVT
method was
fit for the purpose.
These results lead to the possibility for the on-line measurement of PHA productivity. Moreover, they
allow for the fast and inexpensive quantification/characterization of PHA for biotechnological process
control, as well as investigation over various bacterial communities and/or feeding strategies.mixedF. Abbondanzi; G. Biscaro; G. Carvalho; L. Favaro; P. Lemos; M. Paglione; C. Samorì; C. TorriF. Abbondanzi; G. Biscaro; G. Carvalho; L. Favaro; P. Lemos; M. Paglione; C. Samorì; C. Torr