Sphaerotilus natans

Microscopic observations of the sludge flock showed the presence of filamentous organisms, Sphaerotilus natans, in high concentrations. The presence of these organisms was expected to be due to deficiency of the nitrogen in the wastewater. 

Takeda M, Matsuoka M, Hamana H, Hikuma M (1995) Biosynthesis of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate by Sphaerotilus natans. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 43 31-34 Tanaka S, Feng LD, Inoue Y (2004) Comparative study of effects of thio/oxo ester linkages on thermal properties of bacterial poly[3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-(mercapto/hydroxyl)propionate]. Polym J 36 570-573... 

Sphaerotilus natans P3HB-CO-3HV Glucose -1- sodium propionate [81]... 

Figure 3 Sphaerotilus natans biofilm. Magnification lOOOX.

Figure 4 Typical biofilm growth of Sphaerotilus natans biofilm. Arrows correspond to the start and stop of nutrient addition.

The copolyester Poly(3HB-co-3HV) was synthesized from the combined carbon sources of glucose and sodium propionate by a filamentation-defective mutant of Sphaerotilus natans, which is a typical filamentous bacterium often found in activated sludge. The 3-hydroxyvalerate content in the produced polymer increased with increasing concentrations of propionate. Cell growth and polyester synthesis were... 

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