Patent ID: 9062340
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
1. A method of selecting for type II methanotrophs and producing polyhydroxybutyrate, comprising: a. adding an effective amount of an ammonium source to a microbial feedstock within a bioreactor, wherein said microbial feedstock comprises a mixture of Type I and Type II methanotrophic cells, under conditions to enhance the growth of said Type II methanotrophic cells and inhibit the growth of said Type I methanotrophic cells; b. adding an effective amount of a nitrogen growth source selected from the group consisting of nitrate, urea, and a mixture thereof to the microbial feedstock, under conditions to allow uninhibited replication of said Type II methanotrophic cell to occur: and c. growing the replicated Type II methanotrophic cells in a cultural environment that is absent of nitrogen for a suitable period of time to produce the polyhydroxybutyrate.