Production of poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMA) from agricultural biomass substrates by Aureobasidium pullulans

Leathers, Timothy D.; Manitchotpisit, Pennapa

Production of poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMA) from agricultural biomass substrates by Aureobasidium pullulans

2013

Leathers, Timothy D. | Manitchotpisit, Pennapa

For the first time the production of poly(β-L -malic acid) (PMA) has been achieved using agricultural biomass substrates by the yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. Strains NRRL Y-2311-1, NRRL 50382, NRRL 50383, and NRRL 50384, representing diverse isolation sources and phylogenetic clades, produced PMA from alkaline H₂O₂-pretreated corn fiber and wheat straw as sole carbon sources. Pretreated wheat straw was better than pretreated corn fiber, and strain NRRL 50383 gave the highest overall yields of PMA. The addition of CaCO₃ plus supplementary hydrolytic enzymes enhanced PMA production. Four basal media were compared for PMA production, and the best was found to be a N-limited pullulan production medium (PM). In this medium, PMA production took place during growth limitation. Under optimal conditions, strain NRRL 50383 produced more than 20 g PMA/l from 5 % (w/v) pretreated wheat straw in PM with 3 % (w/v) CaCO₃ and supplementary enzymes.

Afficher plus [+]