Enhancing polyhydroxybutyrate production by Nostoc muscorum: Effects of nutrient variability, photoperiod, and two-stage cultivation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1638141Keywords:
Nostoc muscorum, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), nitrogen, phosphorus, photoperiodAbstract
The optimization of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production and accumulation in Nostoc muscorum was investigated by evaluating the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and photoperiod (light/dark) using a Box-Behnken design. A developed two-stage cultivation strategy enhanced the PHB production. The results indicated that conditions favoring PHB accumulation might limit biomass production, highlighting a trade-off between biomass yield and PHB accumulation. Experimental validation of the optimized conditions yielded 92.16 ± 15.84 mg PHB/L, 1.70 ± 0.19 g biomass/L, and 15.84 ± 3.11% dry weight of PHB. The two-stage cultivation approach consisted of producing the biomass with the optimal conditions in the first stage, followed by PHB accumulation of 2.5 times in the latter stage. These findings suggest optimal culture conditions and provide a strategy to improve PHB yields in N. muscorum.
Downloads
References
[1]. Y. J. Sohn, H. T. Kim, K. A. Baritugo, S. Y. Jo, H. M. Song, S. Y. Park, J. Pyo, H. G. cha, H. Kim, J. G. Na, C. Park, J. I. Choi, J. C. Joo, and S. J. Park, “Recent Advances in Sustainable Plastic Upcycling and Biopolymers,” Biotechnology Journal, Vol. 15(6), 2020.
[2]. C. Zhang, C. Wang, G. Cao, D. Wang, and S. Ho, “A sustainable solution to plastics pollution: An eco-friendly bioplastic film production from high-salt contained Spirulina sp. Residues,” Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 388, 2020.
[3]. A. K. Singh and C. Mahapatra, “Strategies for fabrication of microalgae based biomaterials: Recent updates,” Sep. 01, 2025, Elsevier B.V. doi: 10.1016/j.hybadv.2025.100445.
[4]. M. Kumar, R. Rathour, R. Singh, Y. Sun, A. Pandey, E. Gnansounou, K. A. Lin, D. D. W. Tsang, and I. S. Thakur, “Bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates: Opportunities, challenges, and prospects,” Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 263, 2020.
[5]. P. Kumar and B. S. Kim, “Valorization of polyhydroxyalkanoates production process by co-synthesis of value-added products,” Bioresource Technology Vol. 269, pp. 544–556, 2018.
[6]. N. Ojha and N. Das, “Microbial Production of Bioplastics: Current Trends and Future Perspectives,” In M. Kuddus and Roohi (Eds.), Bioplastics for sustainable development. Springer Singapore. pp. 1-60, 2021.
[7]. A. Müller-Santos, J.J. Koskimäki, L. P. S. Alves, E. M. de Souza, D. Jendrossek, and A. M. Pirttilä, “The protective role of PHB and its degradation products against stress situations in bacteria,” FEMS Microbiology Reviews, Vol. 45(3), pp. 1-13, 2021.
[8]. K. Roja, D. R. Sudhakar, S. Anto, and t. Mathimani, “Extraction and characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoates from marine green alga and cyanobacteria,” Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, Vol. 22, 2019.
[9]. A. Ansari and T. Fatma, “Cyanobacterial polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB): Screening, optimization and characterization,” PLoS One, Vol. 11(6), 2016.
[10]. S. G. Mastropetros, K. Pispas, D. Zagklis. S. S. Ali, and M. Kornaros, “Biopolymers production from microalgae and cyanobacteria cultivated in wastewater: Recent advances,” Biotechnology Advances, Vol. 60, 2022.
[11]. P. R. Yashavanth, M. Das, and S. K. Maiti, “Recent progress and challenges in cyanobacterial autotrophic production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a bioplastic,” Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Vol. 9(4), 2021.
[12]. R. Carpine, W. Du, G. Olivieri, A. Pollio, K. J. Hellingwerf, A. Marzocchella, and F. B. dos Santos, “Genetic engineering of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 for poly-β-hydroxybutyrate overproduction,” Algal Research, Vol. 25, pp. 117-127, 2017.
[13]. B. Drosg, I. Fritz, F. Gattermayr, and L. Silvestrini, “Photo-autotrophic Production of Poly(hydroxyalkanoates) in Cyanobacteria,” Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Quarterly, Vol. 9(2), pp. 145-156, 2015.
[14]. R. Bhati and N. Mallick, “Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) copolymer production by the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum Agardh: Process optimization and polymer characterization,” Algal Research, Vol. 7, pp. 78-85, 2015.
[15]. R. Bhati and N. Mallick, “Production and characterization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) co-polymer by a N2-fixing cyanobacterium, Nostoc muscorum Agardh,” Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, Vol. 87(4), pp. 505-512, 2012.
[16]. T. L. A. Nguyen et al., “Biopolymer polyhydroxyalkanoate production from Arthrospira platensis NLHT3 cyanobacterium isolated in Vietnam,” Environ Technol Innov, vol. 36, Nov. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.eti.2024.103841.
[17]. S. M. Haase, B. Huchzermeyer, and T. Rath, “PHB accumulation in Nostoc muscorum under different carbon stress situations,” Journal of Applied Phycology, Vol. 24, pp. 157-162, 2012.
[18]. M. Nishioka, K. Nakai, M. Miyake, Y. Asada, and M. Taya, “Production of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate by thermophilic cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. MA19, under phosphate-limited conditions,” Biotechnology Letters, Vol. 23, pp. 1095-1099, 2001.
[19]. B. Panda, P. Jain, L. Sharma, and N. Mallick, “Optimization of cultural and nutritional conditions for accumulation of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803,” Bioresource Technology, Vol. 97(11), pp. 1296-1301, 2006.
[20]. K. Sudesh, K. Taguchi, and Y. Doi, “Effect of increased PHA synthase activity on polyhydroxyalkanoates biosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803,” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Vol. 30(2), pp. 97-104, 2002.
[21]. B. Altamira-Algarra, J. García, C. A. V. Torres, M. A. M. Reis, and E. Gonzalez-Flo, “Exploring simultaneous production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and exopolysaccharides in cyanobacteria-rich microbiomes,” N Biotechnol, vol. 87, pp. 82–92, Jul. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.nbt.2025.02.008.
[22]. L. Sharma and N. Mallick, “Enhancement of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate accumulation in Nostoc muscorum under mixotrophy, chemoheterotrophy and limitations of gas-exchange,” Biotechnology Letters, Vol. 27, pp. 5-62, 2005.
[23]. L. J. Stal, “Poly(hydroxyalkanoate) in cyanobacteria: an overview,” FEMS Microbiology Reviews, Vol. 9(2-4), pp. 169-180, 1992.
[24]. L. Sharma and N. Mallick, “Accumulation of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate in Nostoc muscorum: regulation by pH, light–dark cycles, N and P status and carbon sources,” Bioresource Technology, Vol 96(11), pp. 1304-1310, 2005.
[25]. L. González-Resendiz, L. Sánchez-García, I. Hernández-Martínez, G. Vigueras-Ramírez, L. F. Jiménez-García, R. Lara-Martínez, and M. Morales-Ibarría, “Photoautotrophic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production by a wild-type Synechococcus elongatus isolated from an extreme environment,” Bioresource Technology, Vol. 337, 2021.
[26]. K. Samadhiya, A. Ghosh, and A. Bhatnagar, “Effect of acute vs chronic stress on Polyhydroxybutyrate production by indigenous cyanobacterium,” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Vol 227, pp. 416-423, 2023.
[27]. H. R. Preisig and R. A. Andersen, “Historical Review of Algal Culturing Techniques,” Algal Culturing Techniques, Vol. 65, pp. 79-82.
[28]. A. Richmond, “Handbook of microalgal culture: biotechnology and applied phycology,” Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oxford, 2004.
[29]. J. H. Law and R. A. Slepecky, “Assay of poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid” Journal of Bacteriology, Vol 82(1), pp. 33-36, 1961.
[30]. M. DuBois, K. A. Gilles, J. K. Hamilton, P. T. Rebers, F. Smith, “Colorimetric Method for Determination of Sugars and Related Substances,” Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 28(3), pp. 350-356, 1956.
[31]. O. H. Lowry, N. J. Rosebrough, A. L. Farr, and R. J. Randall, “Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent,”, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 193(1), pp. 265-275, 1951.
[32]. S. K. Mishra, W. I. Suh, W. Farooq, M. Moon, A. Shrivastav, M. S. Park, and J. Yang, “Rapid quantification of microalgal lipids in aqueous medium by a simple colorimetric method,” Bioresource Technology, Vol. 155, pp. 330-333, 2014.
[33]. J. Juengert, S. Bresan, and D. Jendrossek, “Determination of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Content in Ralstonia eutropha Using Gas Chromatography and Nile Red Staining,” Bio Protoc, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 1–15, 2018, doi: 10.21769/bioprotoc.2748.
[34]. Y. Su, A. Mennerich, “Coupled nutrient removal and biomass production with mixed algal culture: Impact of biotic and abiotic factors,” Bioresource Technology, Vol. 118, pp. 469-476, 2012.
[35]. Q. Zhang, Y. Chen, M. Wang, J. Zhang, Q. Chen, and D. Liu, “Molecular responses to inorganic and organic phosphorus sources in the growth and toxin formation of Microcystis aeruginosa,” Water Research, Vol. 196(15), 2021.
[36]. Q. Wu, L. Guo, X. Li, and Y. Wang, “Effect of phosphorus concentration and light/dark condition on phosphorus uptake and distribution with microalgae,” Bioresource Technology, Vol. 340, 2021.
[37]. Y. H. Wu, Y. Yu, and H. Y. Hu, “Microalgal growth with intracellular phosphorus for achieving high biomass growth rate and high lipid/triacylglycerol content simultaneously,” Bioresource Technology, Vol. 192, pp. 374-381, 2015.
[38]. S. M. El Shafay, A. Gaber, W. F. Alsanie, and M. E. Elshobary, “Influence of nutrient manipulation on growth and biochemical constituent in anabaena variabilis and Nostoc muscorum to enhance biodiesel production,” Sustainability, Vol. 13(16), 2021.
[39]. M. Koch, S. Doello, K. Gutekunst, and K. Forchhammer, “PHB is Produced from Glycogen Turn-over during Nitrogen Starvation in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803,” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 20(8), 2019.
[40]. D. Kamravamanech, S. Pflügl, W. Nischkauer, A. Limbeck, M. Lackner, and C. Herwig, “Photosynthetic poly-β-hydroxybutyrate accumulation in unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6714,” AMB express, Vol. 7(1), pp. 1-12, 2017.
[41]. V. C. Coelho, C. Klasener da Silva, A. L. Terra, J. A. Vieira Costa, and M. Greque de Morais, “Polyhydroxybutyrate production by Spirulina sp. LEB 18 grown under different nutrient concentrations,” African Journal of Microbiology Research, Vol. 9(24), pp. 1586-1594, 2015.
[42]. M. Simonazzi, L. Pezzolesi, P. Galleti, C. Gualandi, R. Pistocchi, N. De Marco, Z. Paganelli, and C. Samorì, “Production of polyhydroxybutyrate by the cyanobacterium cf. Anabaena sp.,” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Vol. 191(30), pp. 92-99, 2021.
[43]. T. Grivalský , G. E. Lakatos, K. Štěrbová, J. A. C. Manoel, R. Beloša , P. Divoká, J. Kopp, R. Kriechbaum, O. Spadiut, A. Zwirzitz, K. Trenzunger, and J. Masojídek, “Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate production by Synechocystis MT_a24 in a raceway pond using urban wastewater,” Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Vol. 108(1), 1-12, 2024.
[44]. A. Kaewbai-ngam, A. Incharoensakdi, and T. Monshupanee, “Increased accumulation of polyhydroxybutyrate in divergent cyanobacteria under nutrient-deprived photoautotrophy: an efficient conversion of solar energy and carbon dioxide to polyhydroxybutyrate by Calothrix scytonemicola TISTR 8095,” Bioresource Technology, Vol. 212, pp. 342-347, 2016.
[45]. E. Rueda, B. Altamira-Algarra, and J. García, “Process optimization of the polyhydroxybutyrate production in the cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. and Synechococcus sp.,” Bioresource Technology, Vol. 356, 2022.
[46]. K. Samadhiya, A. Ghosh, A. Bhatnagar, and K. Bala, “Effect of acute vs chronic stress on Polyhydroxybutyrate production by indigenous cyanobacterium,” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Vol. 227(1), pp. 416-423, 2023.
[47]. L. K. M. Quines, J. L. Ienczak, M. Schmidt, K. Zanfonato, M. I. Rodrigues, W. Schmidell, and G. M. Aragao, “Extraction of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), produced by Cupriavidus necator, with propylene carbonate,” Química Nova, Vol. 38(2), pp. 214-220, 2015.
[48]. D. Nygaard, O. Yashchuk, and E. B. Hermida, “Evaluation of culture medium on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production by Cupriavidus necator ATCC 17697: application of the response surface methodology,” Heliyon, Vol. 5(3), pp. 1-18, 2019.
[49]. A. Aramvash, A. Akbari Shahabi, S. Dashti Aghjeh, and M. D. Ghafari, “Statistical physical and nutrient optimization of bioplastic polyhydroxybutyrate production by Cupriavidus necator,” International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 12, pp. 2307-2316, 2015.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Environmental Research and Technology

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles in Environmental Research and Technology (ERT) are published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
This license allows others to copy, distribute, and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes only, provided that proper credit is given to the original authors and to the journal.



