TY  - JOUR
AU  - Guzik, Maciej
AU  - Kenny, Shane T.
AU  - Duane, Gearoid F.
AU  - Casey, Eoin
AU  - Woods, Trevor
AU  - Babu, Ramesh P.
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
AU  - Murray, Michael
AU  - O'Connor, Kevin E.
PY  - 2014
UR  - https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1764
AB  - A process for the conversion of post consumer (agricultural) polyethylene (PE) waste to the biodegradable polymer medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) is reported here. The thermal treatment of PE in the absence of air (pyrolysis) generated a complex mixture of low molecular weight paraffins with carbon chain lengths from C8 to C32 (PE pyrolysis wax). Several bacterial strains were able to grow and produce PHA from this PE pyrolysis wax. The addition of biosurfactant (rhamnolipids) allowed for greater bacterial growth and PHA accumulation of the tested strains. Some strains were only capable of growth and PHA accumulation in the presence of the biosurfactant. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO-1 accumulated the highest level of PHA with almost 25 % of the cell dry weight as PHA when supplied with the PE pyrolysis wax in the presence of rhamnolipids. The change of nitrogen source from ammonium chloride to ammonium nitrate resulted in faster bacterial growth and the earlier onset of PHA accumulation. To our knowledge, this is the first report where PE is used as a starting material for production of a biodegradable polymer.
PB  - Springer, New York
T2  - Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
T1  - Conversion of post consumer polyethylene to the biodegradable polymer polyhydroxyalkanoate
VL  - 98
IS  - 9
SP  - 4223
EP  - 4232
DO  - 10.1007/s00253-013-5489-2
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Guzik, Maciej and Kenny, Shane T. and Duane, Gearoid F. and Casey, Eoin and Woods, Trevor and Babu, Ramesh P. and Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina and Murray, Michael and O'Connor, Kevin E.",
year = "2014",
abstract = "A process for the conversion of post consumer (agricultural) polyethylene (PE) waste to the biodegradable polymer medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) is reported here. The thermal treatment of PE in the absence of air (pyrolysis) generated a complex mixture of low molecular weight paraffins with carbon chain lengths from C8 to C32 (PE pyrolysis wax). Several bacterial strains were able to grow and produce PHA from this PE pyrolysis wax. The addition of biosurfactant (rhamnolipids) allowed for greater bacterial growth and PHA accumulation of the tested strains. Some strains were only capable of growth and PHA accumulation in the presence of the biosurfactant. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO-1 accumulated the highest level of PHA with almost 25 % of the cell dry weight as PHA when supplied with the PE pyrolysis wax in the presence of rhamnolipids. The change of nitrogen source from ammonium chloride to ammonium nitrate resulted in faster bacterial growth and the earlier onset of PHA accumulation. To our knowledge, this is the first report where PE is used as a starting material for production of a biodegradable polymer.",
publisher = "Springer, New York",
journal = "Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology",
title = "Conversion of post consumer polyethylene to the biodegradable polymer polyhydroxyalkanoate",
volume = "98",
number = "9",
pages = "4223-4232",
doi = "10.1007/s00253-013-5489-2"
}

Guzik, M., Kenny, S. T., Duane, G. F., Casey, E., Woods, T., Babu, R. P., Nikodinović-Runić, J., Murray, M.,& O'Connor, K. E.. (2014). Conversion of post consumer polyethylene to the biodegradable polymer polyhydroxyalkanoate. in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Springer, New York., 98(9), 4223-4232.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-013-5489-2

Guzik M, Kenny ST, Duane GF, Casey E, Woods T, Babu RP, Nikodinović-Runić J, Murray M, O'Connor KE. Conversion of post consumer polyethylene to the biodegradable polymer polyhydroxyalkanoate. in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2014;98(9):4223-4232.
doi:10.1007/s00253-013-5489-2 .

Guzik, Maciej, Kenny, Shane T., Duane, Gearoid F., Casey, Eoin, Woods, Trevor, Babu, Ramesh P., Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, Murray, Michael, O'Connor, Kevin E., "Conversion of post consumer polyethylene to the biodegradable polymer polyhydroxyalkanoate" in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 98, no. 9 (2014):4223-4232,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-013-5489-2 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Guzik, Maciej
AU  - Narančić, Tanja
AU  - Ilić-Tomić, Tatjana
AU  - Vojnović, Sandra
AU  - Kenny, Shane T.
AU  - Casey, William T.
AU  - Duane, Gearoid F.
AU  - Casey, Eoin
AU  - Woods, Trevor
AU  - Babu, Ramesh P.
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
AU  - O'Connor, Kevin E.
PY  - 2014
UR  - https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1846
AB  - Diverse and elaborate pathways for nutrient utilization, as well as mechanisms to combat unfavourable nutrient conditions make Pseudomonas putida KT2440 a versatile micro-organism able to occupy a range of ecological niches. The fatty acid degradation pathway of P. putida is complex and correlated with biopolymer medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) biosynthesis. Little is known about the second step of fatty acid degradation (beta-oxidation) in this strain. In silico analysis of its genome sequence revealed 21 putative acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACADs), four of which were functionally characterized through mutagenesis studies. Four mutants with insertionally inactivated ACADs (PP_1893, PP_2039, PP_2048 and PP_2437) grew and accumulated mcl-PHA on a range of fatty acids as the sole source of carbon and energy. Their ability to grow and accumulate biopolymer was differentially negatively affected on various fatty acids, in comparison to the wild-type strain. Inactive PP_2437 exhibited a pattern of reduced growth and PHA accumulation when fatty acids with lengths of 10 to 14 carbon chains were used as substrates. Recombinant expression and biochemical characterization of the purified protein allowed functional annotation in P. putida KT2440 as an ACAD showing clear preference for dodecanoyl-CoA ester as a substrate and optimum activity at 30 degrees C and pH 6.5-7.
PB  - Soc General Microbiology, Reading
T2  - Microbiology, SGM / Society for General Microbiology
T1  - Identification and characterization of an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 that shows preference towards medium to long chain length fatty acids
VL  - 160
SP  - 1760
EP  - 1771
DO  - 10.1099/mic.0.078758-0
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Guzik, Maciej and Narančić, Tanja and Ilić-Tomić, Tatjana and Vojnović, Sandra and Kenny, Shane T. and Casey, William T. and Duane, Gearoid F. and Casey, Eoin and Woods, Trevor and Babu, Ramesh P. and Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina and O'Connor, Kevin E.",
year = "2014",
abstract = "Diverse and elaborate pathways for nutrient utilization, as well as mechanisms to combat unfavourable nutrient conditions make Pseudomonas putida KT2440 a versatile micro-organism able to occupy a range of ecological niches. The fatty acid degradation pathway of P. putida is complex and correlated with biopolymer medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) biosynthesis. Little is known about the second step of fatty acid degradation (beta-oxidation) in this strain. In silico analysis of its genome sequence revealed 21 putative acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACADs), four of which were functionally characterized through mutagenesis studies. Four mutants with insertionally inactivated ACADs (PP_1893, PP_2039, PP_2048 and PP_2437) grew and accumulated mcl-PHA on a range of fatty acids as the sole source of carbon and energy. Their ability to grow and accumulate biopolymer was differentially negatively affected on various fatty acids, in comparison to the wild-type strain. Inactive PP_2437 exhibited a pattern of reduced growth and PHA accumulation when fatty acids with lengths of 10 to 14 carbon chains were used as substrates. Recombinant expression and biochemical characterization of the purified protein allowed functional annotation in P. putida KT2440 as an ACAD showing clear preference for dodecanoyl-CoA ester as a substrate and optimum activity at 30 degrees C and pH 6.5-7.",
publisher = "Soc General Microbiology, Reading",
journal = "Microbiology, SGM / Society for General Microbiology",
title = "Identification and characterization of an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 that shows preference towards medium to long chain length fatty acids",
volume = "160",
pages = "1760-1771",
doi = "10.1099/mic.0.078758-0"
}

Guzik, M., Narančić, T., Ilić-Tomić, T., Vojnović, S., Kenny, S. T., Casey, W. T., Duane, G. F., Casey, E., Woods, T., Babu, R. P., Nikodinović-Runić, J.,& O'Connor, K. E.. (2014). Identification and characterization of an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 that shows preference towards medium to long chain length fatty acids. in Microbiology, SGM / Society for General Microbiology
Soc General Microbiology, Reading., 160, 1760-1771.
https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.078758-0

Guzik M, Narančić T, Ilić-Tomić T, Vojnović S, Kenny ST, Casey WT, Duane GF, Casey E, Woods T, Babu RP, Nikodinović-Runić J, O'Connor KE. Identification and characterization of an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 that shows preference towards medium to long chain length fatty acids. in Microbiology, SGM / Society for General Microbiology. 2014;160:1760-1771.
doi:10.1099/mic.0.078758-0 .

Guzik, Maciej, Narančić, Tanja, Ilić-Tomić, Tatjana, Vojnović, Sandra, Kenny, Shane T., Casey, William T., Duane, Gearoid F., Casey, Eoin, Woods, Trevor, Babu, Ramesh P., Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, O'Connor, Kevin E., "Identification and characterization of an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 that shows preference towards medium to long chain length fatty acids" in Microbiology, SGM / Society for General Microbiology, 160 (2014):1760-1771,
https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.078758-0 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Kenny, Shane T.
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
AU  - Kaminsky, Walter
AU  - Woods, Trevor
AU  - Babu, Ramesh P.
AU  - O'Connor, Kevin E.
PY  - 2012
UR  - https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1319
AB  - Sodium terephthalate (TA) produced from a PET pyrolysis product and waste glycerol (WG) from biodiesel manufacture were supplied to Pseudomonas putida GO16 in a fed-batch bioreactor. Six feeding strategies were employed by altering the sequence of TA and WG feeding. P. putida GO16 reached 8.70 g/l cell dry weight (CDW) and 2.61 g/l PHA in 48 h when grown on TA alone. When TA and WG were supplied in combination, biomass productivity (g/l/h) was increased between 1.3- and 1.7-fold and PHA productivity (g/l/h) was increased 1.8- to 2.2-fold compared to TA supplied alone. The monomer composition of the PHA accumulated from TA or WG was predominantly composed of 3-hydroxydecanoic acid. PHA monomers 3-hydroxytetradeeanoic acid and 3-hydroxytetradecenoic acid were not present in PHA accumulated from TA alone but were present when WG was supplied to the fermentation. When WG was either the sole carbon source or the predominant carbon source supplied to the fermentation the molecular weight of PHA accumulated was lower compared to PHA accumulated when TA was supplied as the sole substrate. Despite similarities in data for the properties of the polymers, PHAs produced with WG present in the PHA accumulation phase were tacky while PHA produced where TA was the sole carbon substrate in the polymer accumulation phase exhibited little or no tackiness at room temperature. The co-feeding of WG to fermentations allows for increased utilisation of TA. The order of feeding of WG and TA has an effect on TA utilisation and polymer properties.
PB  - Springer, New York
T2  - Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
T1  - Development of a bioprocess to convert PET derived terephthalic acid and biodiesel derived glycerol to medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate
VL  - 95
IS  - 3
SP  - 623
EP  - 633
DO  - 10.1007/s00253-012-4058-4
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Kenny, Shane T. and Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina and Kaminsky, Walter and Woods, Trevor and Babu, Ramesh P. and O'Connor, Kevin E.",
year = "2012",
abstract = "Sodium terephthalate (TA) produced from a PET pyrolysis product and waste glycerol (WG) from biodiesel manufacture were supplied to Pseudomonas putida GO16 in a fed-batch bioreactor. Six feeding strategies were employed by altering the sequence of TA and WG feeding. P. putida GO16 reached 8.70 g/l cell dry weight (CDW) and 2.61 g/l PHA in 48 h when grown on TA alone. When TA and WG were supplied in combination, biomass productivity (g/l/h) was increased between 1.3- and 1.7-fold and PHA productivity (g/l/h) was increased 1.8- to 2.2-fold compared to TA supplied alone. The monomer composition of the PHA accumulated from TA or WG was predominantly composed of 3-hydroxydecanoic acid. PHA monomers 3-hydroxytetradeeanoic acid and 3-hydroxytetradecenoic acid were not present in PHA accumulated from TA alone but were present when WG was supplied to the fermentation. When WG was either the sole carbon source or the predominant carbon source supplied to the fermentation the molecular weight of PHA accumulated was lower compared to PHA accumulated when TA was supplied as the sole substrate. Despite similarities in data for the properties of the polymers, PHAs produced with WG present in the PHA accumulation phase were tacky while PHA produced where TA was the sole carbon substrate in the polymer accumulation phase exhibited little or no tackiness at room temperature. The co-feeding of WG to fermentations allows for increased utilisation of TA. The order of feeding of WG and TA has an effect on TA utilisation and polymer properties.",
publisher = "Springer, New York",
journal = "Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology",
title = "Development of a bioprocess to convert PET derived terephthalic acid and biodiesel derived glycerol to medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate",
volume = "95",
number = "3",
pages = "623-633",
doi = "10.1007/s00253-012-4058-4"
}

Kenny, S. T., Nikodinović-Runić, J., Kaminsky, W., Woods, T., Babu, R. P.,& O'Connor, K. E.. (2012). Development of a bioprocess to convert PET derived terephthalic acid and biodiesel derived glycerol to medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate. in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Springer, New York., 95(3), 623-633.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-012-4058-4

Kenny ST, Nikodinović-Runić J, Kaminsky W, Woods T, Babu RP, O'Connor KE. Development of a bioprocess to convert PET derived terephthalic acid and biodiesel derived glycerol to medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate. in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2012;95(3):623-633.
doi:10.1007/s00253-012-4058-4 .

Kenny, Shane T., Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, Kaminsky, Walter, Woods, Trevor, Babu, Ramesh P., O'Connor, Kevin E., "Development of a bioprocess to convert PET derived terephthalic acid and biodiesel derived glycerol to medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate" in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 95, no. 3 (2012):623-633,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-012-4058-4 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
AU  - Kenny, Shane T.
AU  - Babu, Ramesh P.
AU  - Woods, Trevor
AU  - Blau, Werner J.
AU  - O'Connor, Kevin E.
PY  - 2008
UR  - https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/967
AB  - Here, we report the use of petrochemical aromatic hydrocarbons as a feedstock for the biotechnological conversion into valuable biodegradable plastic polymers-polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). We assessed the ability of the known Pseudomonas putida species that are able to utilize benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene (BTEX) compounds as a sole carbon and energy source for their ability to produce PHA from the single substrates. P. putida F1 is able to accumulate medium-chain-length (mcl) PHA when supplied with toluene, benzene, or ethylbenzene. P. putida mt-2 accumulates mcl-PHA when supplied with toluene or p-xylene. The highest level of PHA accumulated by cultures in shake flask was 26% cell dry weight for P. putida mt-2 supplied with p-xylene. A synthetic mixture of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, and styrene (BTEXS) which mimics the aromatic fraction of mixed plastic pyrolysis oil was supplied to a defined mixed culture of P. putida F1, mt-2, and CA-3 in the shake flasks and fermentation experiments. PHA was accumulated to 24% and to 36% of the cell dry weight of the shake flask and fermentation grown cultures respectively. In addition a three-fold higher cell density was achieved with the mixed culture grown in the bioreactor compared to shake flask experiments. A run in the 5-l fermentor resulted in the utilization of 59.6 g (67.5 ml) of the BTEXS mixture and the production of 6 g of mcl-PHA. The monomer composition of PHA accumulated by the mixed culture was the same as that accumulated by single strains supplied with single substrates with 3-hydroxydecanoic acid occurring as the predominant monomer. The purified polymer was partially crystalline with an average molecular weight of 86.9 kDa. It has a thermal degradation temperature of 350 degrees C and a glass transition temperature of -48.5 degrees C.
PB  - Springer, New York
T2  - Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
T1  - The conversion of BTEX compounds by single and defined mixed cultures to medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate
VL  - 80
IS  - 4
SP  - 665
EP  - 673
DO  - 10.1007/s00253-008-1593-0
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina and Kenny, Shane T. and Babu, Ramesh P. and Woods, Trevor and Blau, Werner J. and O'Connor, Kevin E.",
year = "2008",
abstract = "Here, we report the use of petrochemical aromatic hydrocarbons as a feedstock for the biotechnological conversion into valuable biodegradable plastic polymers-polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). We assessed the ability of the known Pseudomonas putida species that are able to utilize benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene (BTEX) compounds as a sole carbon and energy source for their ability to produce PHA from the single substrates. P. putida F1 is able to accumulate medium-chain-length (mcl) PHA when supplied with toluene, benzene, or ethylbenzene. P. putida mt-2 accumulates mcl-PHA when supplied with toluene or p-xylene. The highest level of PHA accumulated by cultures in shake flask was 26% cell dry weight for P. putida mt-2 supplied with p-xylene. A synthetic mixture of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, and styrene (BTEXS) which mimics the aromatic fraction of mixed plastic pyrolysis oil was supplied to a defined mixed culture of P. putida F1, mt-2, and CA-3 in the shake flasks and fermentation experiments. PHA was accumulated to 24% and to 36% of the cell dry weight of the shake flask and fermentation grown cultures respectively. In addition a three-fold higher cell density was achieved with the mixed culture grown in the bioreactor compared to shake flask experiments. A run in the 5-l fermentor resulted in the utilization of 59.6 g (67.5 ml) of the BTEXS mixture and the production of 6 g of mcl-PHA. The monomer composition of PHA accumulated by the mixed culture was the same as that accumulated by single strains supplied with single substrates with 3-hydroxydecanoic acid occurring as the predominant monomer. The purified polymer was partially crystalline with an average molecular weight of 86.9 kDa. It has a thermal degradation temperature of 350 degrees C and a glass transition temperature of -48.5 degrees C.",
publisher = "Springer, New York",
journal = "Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology",
title = "The conversion of BTEX compounds by single and defined mixed cultures to medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate",
volume = "80",
number = "4",
pages = "665-673",
doi = "10.1007/s00253-008-1593-0"
}

Nikodinović-Runić, J., Kenny, S. T., Babu, R. P., Woods, T., Blau, W. J.,& O'Connor, K. E.. (2008). The conversion of BTEX compounds by single and defined mixed cultures to medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate. in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Springer, New York., 80(4), 665-673.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-008-1593-0

Nikodinović-Runić J, Kenny ST, Babu RP, Woods T, Blau WJ, O'Connor KE. The conversion of BTEX compounds by single and defined mixed cultures to medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate. in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2008;80(4):665-673.
doi:10.1007/s00253-008-1593-0 .

Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, Kenny, Shane T., Babu, Ramesh P., Woods, Trevor, Blau, Werner J., O'Connor, Kevin E., "The conversion of BTEX compounds by single and defined mixed cultures to medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate" in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 80, no. 4 (2008):665-673,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-008-1593-0 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Kenny, Shane T.
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
AU  - Kaminsky, Walter
AU  - Woods, Trevor
AU  - Babu, Ramesh P.
AU  - Keely, Chris M.
AU  - Blau, Werner
AU  - O'Connor, Kevin E.
PY  - 2008
UR  - https://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/978
AB  - The conversion of the petrochemical polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to a biodegradable plastic polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is described here. PET was pyrolised at 450 degrees C resulting in the production of a solid, liquid, and gaseous fraction. The liquid and gaseous fractions were burnt for energy recovery, whereas the solid fraction terephthalic acid (TA) was used as the feedstock for bacterial production of PHA. Strains previously reported to grow on TA were unable to accumulate PHA. We therefore isolated bacteria from soil exposed to PET granules at a PET bottle processing plant. From the 32 strains isolated, three strains capable of accumulation of medium chain length PHA (mclPHA) from TA as a sole source of carbon and energy were selected for further study. These isolates were identified using 16S rDNA techniques as P. putida (GO16), P. putida (GO19), and P. frederiksbergensis (GO23). P. putida GO16 and GO19 accumulate PHA composed predominantly of a 3-hydroxydecanoic acid monomer while P. frederiksbergensis GO23 accumulates 3-hydroxydecanoic acid as the predominant monomer with increased amounts of 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid and 3-hydroxydodecenoic acid compared to the other two strains. PHA was detected in all three strains when nitrogen depleted below detectable levels in the growth medium. Strains GO16 and GO19 accumulate PHA at a maximal rate of approximately 8.4 mg PHA/l/h for 12 h before the rate of PHA accumulation decreased dramatically. Strain GO23 accumulates PHA at a lower maximal rate of 4.4 mg PHA/l/h but there was no slow down in the rate of PHA accumulation over time. Each of the PHA polymers is a thermoplastic with the onset of thermal degradation occurring around 308 degrees C with the complete degradation occurring by 370 degrees C. The molecular weight ranged from 74 to 123 kDa. X-ray diffraction indicated crystallinity of the order of 18-31%. Thermal analysis shows a low glass transition (-53 degrees C) with a broad melting endotherm between 0 and 45 degrees C.
PB  - Amer Chemical Soc, Washington
T2  - Environmental Science and Technology
T1  - Up-Cycling of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) to the Biodegradable Plastic PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate)
VL  - 42
IS  - 20
SP  - 7696
EP  - 7701
DO  - 10.1021/es801010e
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Kenny, Shane T. and Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina and Kaminsky, Walter and Woods, Trevor and Babu, Ramesh P. and Keely, Chris M. and Blau, Werner and O'Connor, Kevin E.",
year = "2008",
abstract = "The conversion of the petrochemical polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to a biodegradable plastic polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is described here. PET was pyrolised at 450 degrees C resulting in the production of a solid, liquid, and gaseous fraction. The liquid and gaseous fractions were burnt for energy recovery, whereas the solid fraction terephthalic acid (TA) was used as the feedstock for bacterial production of PHA. Strains previously reported to grow on TA were unable to accumulate PHA. We therefore isolated bacteria from soil exposed to PET granules at a PET bottle processing plant. From the 32 strains isolated, three strains capable of accumulation of medium chain length PHA (mclPHA) from TA as a sole source of carbon and energy were selected for further study. These isolates were identified using 16S rDNA techniques as P. putida (GO16), P. putida (GO19), and P. frederiksbergensis (GO23). P. putida GO16 and GO19 accumulate PHA composed predominantly of a 3-hydroxydecanoic acid monomer while P. frederiksbergensis GO23 accumulates 3-hydroxydecanoic acid as the predominant monomer with increased amounts of 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid and 3-hydroxydodecenoic acid compared to the other two strains. PHA was detected in all three strains when nitrogen depleted below detectable levels in the growth medium. Strains GO16 and GO19 accumulate PHA at a maximal rate of approximately 8.4 mg PHA/l/h for 12 h before the rate of PHA accumulation decreased dramatically. Strain GO23 accumulates PHA at a lower maximal rate of 4.4 mg PHA/l/h but there was no slow down in the rate of PHA accumulation over time. Each of the PHA polymers is a thermoplastic with the onset of thermal degradation occurring around 308 degrees C with the complete degradation occurring by 370 degrees C. The molecular weight ranged from 74 to 123 kDa. X-ray diffraction indicated crystallinity of the order of 18-31%. Thermal analysis shows a low glass transition (-53 degrees C) with a broad melting endotherm between 0 and 45 degrees C.",
publisher = "Amer Chemical Soc, Washington",
journal = "Environmental Science and Technology",
title = "Up-Cycling of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) to the Biodegradable Plastic PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate)",
volume = "42",
number = "20",
pages = "7696-7701",
doi = "10.1021/es801010e"
}

Kenny, S. T., Nikodinović-Runić, J., Kaminsky, W., Woods, T., Babu, R. P., Keely, C. M., Blau, W.,& O'Connor, K. E.. (2008). Up-Cycling of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) to the Biodegradable Plastic PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate). in Environmental Science and Technology
Amer Chemical Soc, Washington., 42(20), 7696-7701.
https://doi.org/10.1021/es801010e

Kenny ST, Nikodinović-Runić J, Kaminsky W, Woods T, Babu RP, Keely CM, Blau W, O'Connor KE. Up-Cycling of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) to the Biodegradable Plastic PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate). in Environmental Science and Technology. 2008;42(20):7696-7701.
doi:10.1021/es801010e .

Kenny, Shane T., Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, Kaminsky, Walter, Woods, Trevor, Babu, Ramesh P., Keely, Chris M., Blau, Werner, O'Connor, Kevin E., "Up-Cycling of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) to the Biodegradable Plastic PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate)" in Environmental Science and Technology, 42, no. 20 (2008):7696-7701,
https://doi.org/10.1021/es801010e . .