High-Cell-Density Cyclic Fed-Batch Fermentation of a Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate)-Accumulating Thermophile, Chelatococcus sp. Strain MW10

ABSTRACT Different fermentation strategies were employed for the cultivation of a new poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-accumulating thermophilic bacterium, Chelatococcus sp. strain MW10, with the aim of achieving high-cell-density (HCD) growth and high poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [poly(3HB)] productivity. Enhanced cultivation was achieved by a cyclic fed-batch fermentation (CFBF) technique (42-liter scale). Maximal poly(3HB) productivity was obtained during the second cycle [16.8 � 4.2 g poly(3HB)/liter]. At the end of CFBF (265 h), an HCD of up to 115.0 � 4.3 g cell dry weight/liter was achieved.