Polyhydroxyalkanoate production method

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to processes for the production and processing of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from carbon sources. In several embodiments, PHAs are produced at high efficiencies from carbon-containing gases or materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biological composition comprising carbon-utilizing methanotrophic microorganisms having an intracellular polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) concentration greater than 70% by weight. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said intracellular PHA concentration is greater than 75% by weight. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said intracellular PHA concentration is greater than 80% by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said intracellular PHA concentration is greater than 85% by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said intracellular PHA concentration is greater than 90% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said intracellular PHA concentration is greater than 95% by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said carbon-utilizing methanotrophic microorganisms utilize a carbon containing gas as a source of carbon. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein said carbon containing gas contains methane. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein said carbon containing gas is methane. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein said carbon containing gas contains carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein said carbon containing gas is carbon-dioxide. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said carbon-utilizing methanotrophic microorganisms utilize PHA-reduced biomass as a source of carbon. 
     
     
         13 . A biological culture comprising methane-utilizing methanotrophic microorganisms having an overall intracellular polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) concentration greater than 70% and less than 95% by weight of the dry weight of said microorganisms. 
     
     
         14 . The biological culture of  claim 13 , wherein said PHA concentration greater than 75% and less than 95% by weight. 
     
     
         15 . The biological culture of  claim 13 , wherein said PHA concentration greater than 80% and less than 95% by weight. 
     
     
         16 . The biological culture of  claim 13 , wherein said PHA concentration greater than 85% and less than 95% by weight. 
     
     
         17 . The biological culture of  claim 13 , wherein said PHA concentration greater than 90% and less than 95% by weight. 
     
     
         18 . One or more polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-producing methanotrophic bacterial cells producing greater than 70 grams of PHA per 100 grams dry weight of said cells when said cells are grown in a carbon-containing gas source. 
     
     
         19 . The one or more bacterial cells of  claim 18 , wherein said one or more bacterial cells comprise at least 80 grams of PHA per 100 grams dry weight of said cells. 
     
     
         20 . The one or more bacterial cells of  claim 19 , wherein said one or more bacterial cells comprise at least 85 grams of PHA per 100 grams dry weight of said cells. 
     
     
         21 . The one or more bacterial cells of  claim 20 , wherein said one or more bacterial cells comprise at least 90 grams of PHA per 100 grams dry weight of said cells. 
     
     
         22 . The one or more bacterial cells of  claim 18 , wherein said carbon-containing gas source comprises methane.