Production of corrinoids including vitamin B-12 byMethanosarcina barkeri growing on methanol

Summary A preliminary attempt was made for producing vitamin B-12 byMethanosarcina barkeri strain Fusaro in a fed-batch culture with a methanol minimum medium. After 11 days, total methanol consumption, cell density and corrinoid concentration were 145 g/l, 8.5 g(dry cell weight)/l, and 135 mg/l (73% in supernatant) respectively. Electrophoretic separation revealed that 33% of the total corrinoids was B-12 Factor III (5-hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide) and the remaining corrinoids were cobinamide (Factor B) and its derivatives.     

Somatic embryogenesis of Gentiana genus III. Characterization of three-year-old embryogenic suspensions of G. pannonica originated from various seedling explants

Experiments were carried out with three-year-old embryogenic suspension culture of Gentiana pannonica Scop. The initial explant for the suspension determinated both the embryogenic character and embryo production. Cultures were initiated by culture of hypocotyl, cotyledon and root explants on MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg·l⁻¹ Kinetin and 0.5 mg·l⁻¹ 2,4-D, later transferred and maintained in liquid MS medium with 1.0 mg·l⁻¹ Dicamba, 0.1 mg·l⁻¹ NAA, 2.0 mg·l⁻¹ BAP and 80.0 mg·l⁻¹ AS. Regeneration medium included 0.0–1.0 mg·l⁻¹ GA₃+0.0−2.0 mg·l⁻¹ Kin.+0.0−160 mg·l⁻¹ AS. In these culture conditions, the effect of the explant was found to be the most important factor. The curve of growth, growth coefficient and % of participation of various size aggregates differed in the studied suspensions. Flow cytometry revealed various DNA content in nuclei from praembryogenic mass depending on the explant origin. To complete embryogenesis the medium was changed from liquid to solidified in the presence of the same plant growth regulators combination required. The most embryogenic culture appeared hypocotyl-derived and it yielded the highest number of somatic embryos. The suspension culture originating from root proliferated the highest number of embryogenic cell clusters but did not produce embryos for fraction 120–450 μm. One hundred mg of suspension of the fraction that was larger than 450 μm yielded 309, 175, 123 embryos for the following suspensions: root-, cotyledon-, hypocotyl-derived, respectively. Almost 50 % of non-deformed fully developed embryos from all studied suspensions passed conversion into germling stage and finally plants were regenerated.     

Isolation of Extracellular Cobalt-free Corrinoid from Methanosarcina barkeri

Cobalt-free corrinoids (CFCs) were isolated from Methanosarcina barkeri Fusaro cells growing on a methanol minimum medium. The methanogen cells excreted a trace of CFCs (9.1 μg/I) into the culture medium when cobalt-deficient methanol medium was used. Several CFCs were separated by column chromatographies on ion exchangers and paper electrophoresis, where a major CFC showed a similar characteristic to that of nucleotide-free corrinoid, Factor B (cobinamide), suggesting to be hydrogenobinamide. By chemical insertion of Co^{2 +}, Cu^{2 +}, and Zn²⁺ into CFCs, the corresponding corrinoid and its metal analogues were observed. Bioassay using Escherichia coli 215 revealed that the major CFC (a yellow product obtained after alkaline treatment) and its copper and zinc analogues were inactive as cobalamin but were active as antimetabolites of cobalamin. However, the CFC greatly stimulated the cell growth of M. barkeri grown under cobalt-deficient conditions.     

褐纹报春苣苔组织培养与快速繁殖

褐纹报春苣苔(Primulina glandaceistriata)是一种极具观赏价值的喀斯特地区野生花卉,目前尚未有褐纹报春苣苔组培快繁的研究报道。该研究以褐纹报春苣苔的叶片为外植体,通过两种途径建立其组培快繁体系。结果表明:适宜的不定芽诱导培养基为MS+6-BA 2.0 mg·L~(-1)+NAA 0.10 mg·L~(-1),适宜的不定芽增殖培养基为MS+ZT 2.0 mg·L~(-1)+NAA 0.10 mg·L~(-1)+活性炭0.05 g·L~(-1),增殖系数为11.09;适宜的愈伤组织诱导培养基为MS+TDZ 2.0 mg·L~(-1)+NAA 0.10 mg·L~(-1),适宜的愈伤组织分化培养基为MS+ZT 1.0 mg·L~(-1)+NAA 0.10mg·L~(-1),分化系数为12.46;适宜的生根培养基为1/2MS+IBA 0.1 mg·L~(-1)+活性炭0.05 g·L~(-1)或1/2MS+IBA0.5 mg·L~(-1)+活性炭0.05 g·L~(-1),生根率为100%。该研究结果成功建立了褐纹报春苣苔的组培快繁体系,为今后褐纹报春苣苔的种苗繁殖和遗传转化提供了技术支持。     

Large-scale cultivation ofSolanum chrysotrichum cells: Production of the antifungal saponin SC-1 in 10-I airlift bioreactors

Cells of two different cell lines:ccvx (cotyledon derived) andccvz (hypocotyl derived) ofSolanum chrysotrichum were cultivated in 10-1 airlift bioreactors for the production of the human antimycotic compound SC-1. When using 3 g l^-1 dry weight inoculum in a batch culture, higher levels of biomass were achieved with theccvx cell line (14.6 g l^-1) than withccvz (7.7 g l^-1), resulting in 23 and 12 mg g^-1 of SC-1 after 17 days in culture forccvx andccvz, respectively. The maximum productivity of SC-1 in bioreactors was 0.025 g l^-1 day^-1 after 9 days in culture. When using a draw-fill mode, the productivity increased by 60% to a value of 0.041 g l^-1 day, 4 days after 50% of the cell suspension was removed and replaced with fresh medium. This latter bioreactor system is a feasible alternative for the production of the antimycotic metabolite ofS. chrysotrichum on a large scale.Abbreviations DW Cell dry weight - FW Fresh weight - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - T _d Doubling time     

Production of l-Methionine-enriched cells of a mutant derived from a methylotrophic yeast,Candida boidinii

l-Methionine-enriched cells production of an ethionine-resistant mutant of Candida boidinii no. 2201 was greatly improved by the control of pH and by feeding of methanol and other medium components during cultivation in a jar fermentor. Under the optimal conditions, 38.5 g (as dry weight)_of cells abd 282 mg of pool methionine (intracellular pool of free l-methionine) per l of culture broth were obtained after 11 d of cultivation.The culture conditions for production of l-methionine-enriched cells in continuous culture were investigated. With limited methanol in continuous cultivation, pool methionine productivity reached a maximum value of 1.14 mg·l⁻¹·h⁻¹ at a dilution rate of 0.05·h⁻¹. During methanol-limited growth in continuous cultivation, the pool methionine content of the mutant was about 20–35% higher than that in batch cultivation.     

Synergistic effect of DFMO and 2,4-D on regeneration of Tabernaemontana persicariaefolia jacq in vitro

Callus cultures of Tabernaemontana persicariaefolia, (Apocynaceae), an endangered species endemic to the Mascarene Islands, were established from leaf explants on MS medium containing either 5 mg·l⁻¹ 2,4-D and 0.5 mg·l⁻¹ BA or 5 mg·l⁻¹ 2,4-D, 0.5 mg·l⁻¹ BA and 200 mg·l⁻¹ DFMO. Histological studies showed regenerating nodules resembling globular embryos in calli after 4 weeks on the DFMO medium. Green shoot formation was achieved by sequential subculture of the induced calli on media with gradually decreasing 2,4-D concentrations (5→1→0 mg·l⁻¹). Regeneration was greatly stimulated in the presence of DFMO. The first emergence of shoots occured 3 weeks earlier than in untreated callus cultures.     

Chemical potential of Aphelandra sp. cell cultures

Six different callus lines and three different suspension culture lines were established from plants of two Aphelandra species (Acanthaceae). All established lines were analyzed for secondary metabolite accumulation. A discrepancy between secondary metabolites accumulated in the plants and in the cell cultures could be observed. All established Aphelandrasp. cell cultures produced verbascoside (acteoside) as the major extractable metabolite. Time course experiments were carried out to investigate the relationship between cell growth and verbascoside production. In the present study it was shown that verbascoside accumulation was growth dependent and positively related to the presence of 2,4-D in the medium. The conditions in which verbascoside represents ca. 18% of cell culture weight have been defined. Free polyamines were detected in the cell culture lines cultivated in MS liquid medium (cysteine 10 mg l^-1, thiamine 1 mg l^-1, 2,4-D 1 mg l^-1, kinetin 0.2 mg l^-1 and sucrose 30 g l^-1). Putrescine and spermidine accumulated within 8 days to a maximum of 8.4 μmol g^-1 of dry wt and 2.6 μmol g^-1 of dry wt respectively and thereafter their concentration decreased rapidly. There was no evidence for the presence of spermine or any other type of free or conjugated polyamines in the tested cell culture lines. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Micropropagation studies inCeropegia SPP

Summary The purpose of this study was to developin vitro techniques for conserving wild and endemic species ofCeropegia by mass multiplication for subsequent reintroduction in their natural habitat. Micropropagation involving a combination of axillary bud culture, shoot multiplication, somatic embryogenesis andin vitro tuber formation forCeropegia jainii, a rare plant of the Indian sub continent,C. bulbosa var.bulbosa andC. bulbosa var.lushii, common species, was developed. Nodal explants from all species were cultured on 0.5 MS medium with 8.8 μM (2 mg·l⁻¹) N⁶-benzyl aminopurine (BA) to regenerate the axillary buds. These produced multiple shoots when transferred to multiplication medium consisting of 0.5 MS medium with 2.2 μM (0.5 mg·l⁻¹) BA, or microtubers when transferred to 0.5 MS medium with 22.2 μM (5 mg·l⁻¹) BA and 23.2 μM (5 mg·l⁻¹) kinetin.In vitro flowering occurred inC. jainii and not in the other two varieties when the plants were cultured on multiplication media with spermine at 0.25 μM (50 μg·l⁻¹) as an additive. Shoot pieces produced callus on MS medium with 9.05 μM (2 mg·l⁻¹) 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid. Regeneration of the calli by somatic embryogenesis was achieved when they were transferred to 0.5 MS medium with 2.2 μM (0.5 mg·l⁻¹) BA. Rooting of the shoots was possible both byin vitro andex vitro means.     

Biosynthesis of corrinoids and other tetrapyrrole compounds by an acetogenic Clostridium

Biosynthesis of corrinoids and other tetrapyrrole pigments by the pure culture of the acetogenic Clostridium 99 was studied. When growing on media containing glucose or methanol, the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Clostridium 99 are very close to those of C. thermoautotrophicum. Methanol was shown to stimulate the corrinoid accumulation with the yield increasing from 154 micrograms/g dry biomass (glucose medium) up to 2250 micrograms/g dry biomass (methanol medium). According to the paper chromatography the corrinoid accumulated in Clostridium 99 cells differed both from vitamin B12 and Factor III. A study on the composition of extracellular tetrapyrroles, accumulated when the culture grows on the medium containing glucose and delta-aminolevulinic acid, revealed that they are represented both by uroporphyrin III and sirohydrochlorine-like pigments. The latters differ by a number of properties from sirohydrochlorine (corrifirine-2) of propione acidic bacteria. These pigments appear to be involved as intermediants in biosynthesis of corrinoids and other tetrapyrroles.     

Identification and production of flavonoids in a cell suspension culture of Scutellaria baicalensis G.

A high yielding cell line of Scutellaria baicalensis G. has successfully been developed to produce flavonoids. Major components of the flavonoids were identified as baicalin and wogonin-7-O-glucuronic acid by a series of instrumental analyses using UV, IR, MASS, and NMR. After 12 days in suspension culture, the cell growth reached 14 g ^DW/l, and baicalin and wogonin-7-O-glucuronic acid were obtained in concentrations of 2.9 g/l and 1.07 g/l, respectively. The culture temperature was found to be an important parameter for improving production yield of the flavonoids. The yield of baicalin was observed to increase to 4.2 g/l by shifting the temperature from 30 °C to 25 °C after 72 h of suspension culture.Abbreviations DW cell dry weight - FW cell fresh weight - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - PSH medium phytohormone added Schenk and Hildebrandt medium - FPM a modified Schenk and Hildebrandt medium for flavonoid production     

葡萄柚种子无菌苗组培快繁体系的建立

以葡萄柚种子在无菌条件下萌发的幼苗作为外植体供体,子叶切断作为丛生芽初代诱导培养的接种材料,以MT作为基本培养基,通过调节不同植物生长调节剂及其浓度组合、不同质量浓度的蔗糖,选择最佳初代培养基、继代培养基和生根培养基,对葡萄柚组培快繁技术体系进行研究。结果表明:(1)葡萄柚种子经预处理后,先用75%酒精表面灭菌15 s,再用0.1%Hg Cl2浸泡20 min的消毒效果最好,污染率为18.33%,萌发率为89.91%;(2)初代培养的最适培养基为MT+1.0 mg·L-16-BA(6-苄氨基腺嘌呤)+0.2 mg·L-1IBA(吲哚丁酸)+0.2 mg·L-1GA(赤霉素)+蔗糖40 g·L-1,腋芽诱导率较高,为93.33%;(3)浓度为0.2 mg·L-1的GA能提高初代培养的腋芽诱导率,但还达不到显著水平;(4)继代培养的最适培养基为MT+0.5 mg·L-16-BA+0.2 mg·L-1IBA+0.2 mg·L-1GA+蔗糖40 g·L-1,丛生芽增殖系数达到4.25,芽深绿色,茎粗壮,节间较长,生长旺盛;(5)浓度为0.2 mg·L-1的GA能显著提高继代培养的增殖系数;(6)最适合继代培养的蔗糖浓度为40 g·L-1,丛生芽长势极好;(7)最佳生根培养基为1/2 MT+NAA 0.2 mg/L+蔗糖40 g·L-1+AC 0.1%,生根率达68.89%,根粗壮;(8)生根苗移栽30 d后成活率在75%以上。该研究建立了葡萄柚的组织培养快繁技术体系,为葡萄柚的规模化生产提供了可行的技术依据。     

Production of acetone and butanol by Clostridium acetobutylicum in continuous culture with cell recycle

Summary To increase the solvent productivity of the acetone-butanol fermentation, a continuous culture of Clostridium acetobytylicum with cell recycling was used. At a dry cell mass concentration of 8 g l^-1 and a dilution rate of D=0.64 h^-1, a solvent productivity of 5.4 g l^-1 h^-1 was attained. To prevent degeneration of the culture, which occurs with high concentrations of solvents (acetone, butanol and ethanol), different reactor cascades were used. A two-stage cascade with cell recycling and turbidostatic cell concentration control turned out to be the best solution, the first stage of which was kept at relatively low cell and product concentrations. A solvent productivity of 3 and 2.3 g l^-1 h^-1, respectively, was achieved at solvent concentrations of 12 and 15 g l^-1.Symbols D Dilution rate (h^-1) - r _p solvent productivity (g l^-1 h^-1) - s residual glucose concentration (g l^-1) - V _R reactor volume (l) - V _O overall volume (l) - x (dry) cell mass concentration (g l^-1) - Y _P/S solvent yield (g g^-1)     

Statistical optimization of simple culture conditions to produce biomass of an ochratoxigenic mould biocontrol yeast strain

Aim: To maximize biomass production of an ochratoxigenic mould–controlling strain of Lachancea thermotolerans employing response surface methodology (RSM). Methods and Results: Using Plackett–Burman screening designs (PBSD) and central composite designs (CCD), an optimized culture medium containing (g l^?1): fermentable sugars (FS), 139·2, provided by sugar cane molasses (CMz), (NH₄)₂HPO₄ (DAP), 9·0, and yeast extract (YE), 2·5, was formulated. Maximal cell concentration obtained after 24 h at 28°C was 24·2 g l^?1cell dry weight (CDW). The mathematical model obtained was validated in experiments performed in shaken‐flask cultures and also in aerated bioreactors. Maximum yield and productivity values achieved were, respectively, of 0·23 g CDW/g FS in a medium containing (g l^?1): FS, 87·0; DAP, 7·0; YE, 1·0; and of 0·96 g CDW l^?1 h^?1 in a medium containing (g l^?1): FS, 150·8 plus DAP, 6·9. Conclusions: Optimized culture conditions for maximizing yeast biomass production determined in flask cultures were applicable at a larger scale. The highest yield values were attained in media containing relatively low‐CMz concentrations supplemented with DAP and YE. Yeast extract would not be necessary if higher productivity is the aim. Significance and Impact of the Study: Cells of L. thermotolerans produced aerobically could be sustainably produced in a medium just containing cheap carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus sources. Response surface methodology allowed the fine‐tuning of cultural conditions.     

In vitro clonal propagation of an aromatic medicinal herb Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) by axillary shoot proliferation

Summary An efficient protocol for in vitro propagation of an aromatic and medicinal herb Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) through axillary shoot proliferation from nodal explants, collected from field-grown plants, is described. High frequency bud break and maximum number of axillary shoot formation was induced in the nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) containing N⁶-benzyladenine (BA). The nodal explants required the presence of BA at a higher concentration (1.0 mg·l⁻¹, 4.4 μM) at the initial stage of bud break; however, further growth and proliferation required transfer to a medium containing BA at a relatively low concentration (0.25 mg·gl⁻¹, 1.1 μM). Gibberellic (GA₃) at 0.4 mg·l⁻¹ (1.2 μM) added to the medium along with BA (1.0 mg·l⁻¹, 4.4 μM) markedly enhanced the frequency of bud break. The shoot clumps that were maintained on the proliferating medium for longer durations, developed inflorescences and flowered in vitro. The shoots formed in vitro were rooted on half-strength MS supplemented with 1.0 mg·l⁻¹ (5.0 μM) indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Rooted plantlets were successfully acclimated in vermi-compost inside a growth chamber and eventually established in soil. All regenerated plants were identical to the donor plants with respect to vegetative and floral morphology.     

In vitro plant regeneration from cotyledon fragments of the olive tree (Olea europaea L)

Olive tree (Olea europaea L) plantlets were regenerated from cotyledon segment calli on a modified olive medium (OMc) supplemented with 2iP alone or in combination with indol-3-butyric acid (IBA). Cell division in the explants was initially induced on OMc medium with high auxin (5 mg·l⁻¹ of IBA) and low cytokinin (0.2–0.5 mg·l⁻¹ of 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP) or zeatin riboside) content. Calli were then transferred to the same medium with different levels of IBA and/or 2iP in order to promote further development and obtain calli bearing either roots or shoots. On OMc medium, 1 mg·l⁻¹ of IBA induced the maximum of rooting, while shoot induction was greater when the medium was supplemented with 4 mg·l⁻¹ of 2iP. Shoot induction mainly occurred from calli of cotyledon fragments proximal to the embryo axes. Whole plantlets were obtained when the regenerated shoots were stimulated to produce adventitious roots on OMr medium with 1 mg·l⁻¹ of IBA or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). After root elongation on OMe medium without auxin, plantlets were transfered to peat and soil conditions where about 75–80% were able to survive. A certain variability was detected between regenerated olive plants.     

牛角瓜离体快繁技术

该文选用牛角瓜茎段为外植体,通过组织培养方法探索牛角瓜组织培养和种苗快繁技术。结果表明:最佳外植体表面消毒方法是以0.1%HgCl_2处理7 min,外植体存活率为32.3%;初代培养基为MS+蔗糖30 g·L~(-1)+琼脂3.5 g·L~(-1),培养20 d后形成3～4 cm高的再生芽。增殖培养前期筛选的较为适宜的增殖培养基为MS+6-BA 1.5 mg·L~(-1)+NAA 0.05 mg·L~(-1)+蔗糖30 g·L~(-1)+琼脂3.5 g·L~(-1),增殖系数4.6。但在后续的培养过程中发现,牛角瓜组培苗易玻璃化,且随着世代更迭,玻璃化程度加重,到了第四代几乎全部玻璃化。因此在上述增殖培养的基础上,以AgNO_3作为玻璃化抑制剂,筛选出最终的增殖培养基为MS+6-BA1.5 mg·L~(-1)+NAA 0.05 mg·L~(-1)+AgNO_31.0 g·L~(-1)+蔗糖30 g·L~(-1)+琼脂3.5 g·L~(-1)。用此增殖培养基,培养25 d,苗高5～8 cm,增殖系数5.8,玻璃化率低于10%,且连续培养多代,玻璃化率维持在10%以下。生根壮苗培养基为1/2MS+NAA 1.0 mg·L~(-1)+蔗糖20 g·L~(-1)+琼脂3.6 g·L~(-1),培养14 d,生根率98%;将生根苗移栽于70%遮阴度的大棚中,30 d后,苗高20 cm左右,成活率85%。利用该方法可对牛角瓜优良种苗进行规模化生产。     

速生白榆的组织培养与快速繁殖

该文以速生白榆半木质化枝条为外植体,使用75%的酒精和0.1%HgCl_2消毒处理,外植体经过启动培养后,在增殖培养基中进行丛生芽诱导,将丛生芽切成单株进行生根诱导,最终建立起成熟的速生白榆组培快繁体系。结果表明:外植体最佳消毒处理组合为75%的酒精处理50 s+0.1%HgCl_2处理8 min,外植体污染率为17.3%,成活率为78%;将消毒处理过的外植体接种到启动培养基中,培养25 d,最终筛选出最适白榆外植体启动的培养基为MS+1.0 mg·L~(-1)6-BA+0.1 mg·L~(-1)IBA+30 g·L~(-1)蔗糖+6.5 g·L~(-1)琼脂,启动率高达87.5%;将经过启动培养后的外植体腋芽切下,接种到增殖培养基中进行丛生芽诱导,最终筛选出最佳增殖培养基为MS+0.5 mg·L~(-1)6-BA+0.1 mg·L~(-1)KT+0.1 mg·L~(-1)IBA+30 g·L~(-1)蔗糖+6.5 g·L~(-1)琼脂,继代周期25 d,增殖系数达6.2;将丛生芽切成单株,接种到生根诱导培养基中,筛选出最佳生根培养基为1/2 MS+0.1 mg·L~(-1)IBA+0.1 mg·L~(-1)IAA+30 g·L~(-1)蔗糖+6.5 g·L~(-1)琼脂,生根诱导30 d,生根率达97%。将生根苗在室外炼苗后,移栽到珍珠岩∶蛭石∶泥炭土体积比为1∶1∶1的混合基质中,成活率在90%以上。较高的增殖系数、生根率和移栽成活率可以降低生产成本,进而实现工厂化育苗。     

Induction of a photomixotrophic plant cell culture of Helianthus annuus and optimization of culture conditions for improved α-tocopherol production

Tocopherols, collectively known as vitamin E, are lipophilic antioxidants, which are synthesized only by photosynthetic organisms. Due to their enormous potential to protect cells from oxidative damage, tocopherols are used, e.g., as nutraceuticals and additives in pharmaceuticals. The most biologically active form of vitamin E is α-tocopherol. Most tocopherols are currently produced via chemical synthesis. Nevertheless, this always results in a racemic mixture of different and less effective stereoisomers because the natural isomer has the highest biological activity. Therefore, tocopherols synthesized in natural sources are preferred for medical purposes. The annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a well-known source for α-tocopherol. Within the presented work, sunflower callus and suspension cultures were established growing under photomixotrophic conditions to enhance α-tocopherol yield. The most efficient callus induction was achieved with sunflower stems cultivated on solid Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 30 g l^?1 sucrose, 0.5 mg l^?1 of the auxin 1-naphthalene acetic acid, and 0.5 mg l^?1 of the cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine. Photomixotrophic sunflower suspension cultures were induced by transferring previously established callus into liquid medium. The effects of light intensity, sugar concentration, and culture age on growth rate and α-tocopherol synthesis rate were characterized. A considerable increase (max. 230 %) of α-tocopherol production in the cells was obtained within the photomixotrophic cell culture compared to a heterotrophic cell culture. These results will be useful for improving α-tocopherol yields of plant in vitro cultures.     

Production of medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates by fed-batch culture of Pseudomonas oleovorans

Pseudomonas oleovorans was cultivated to produce medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (MCL-PHAs) from octanoic acid and ammonium nitrate as carbon and nitrogen source, respectively, by a pH-stat fed-batch culture technique. The octanoate in the culture broth was maintained below 4 g l^–1 by feeding the mixture of octanoic acid and ammonium nitrate when the culture pH rose above 7.1. The final cell concentrations of 63, 55 and 9.5 g l^–1, PHA contents of 62, 75 and 67% of dry cell wt, and productivities of 1, 0.63 and 0.16 g l^–1 h^–1 were obtained when the C/N ratios in the feed were 10, 20 and 100 g octanoic acid g^–1 ammonium nitrate, respectively.