| Abstract: | Cultivation of Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus, which is capable of synthesizing an extracellular polymer and utilized hydrocarbons, has been reported. Growth studies in shake flasks and fermenters were made to obtain maximum polymer production. Polymer formation was found to be growth associated. The highest level of polymer accumulation was attained after 50–60 hr cultivation in the fermenter and it amounted to approximately 5.5–6 g/liter of fermentation broth. The medium contained initially 2% (v/v) kerosene as a carbon source. The maximum yield obtained corresponds to 37–40% (w/w) of kerosene supplied. At the same time the cell concentration was 10–13 g/liter which represents the yield of 67–87% (w/w). The rate of polymer production in the exponential phase was 0.25 g/liter hr and cell production rate was 0.27 g/liter hr. Sodium nitrate, 0.5%, and yeast extract, 0.3%, (w/w) were the best nigrogen sources for polymer formation. The highest level of polymer produced in broth was 6 g/liter. |
