Effect of Changes in Salinity and Nitrogen Availability on the Accumulation of Polyhydroxybutyrate and Glycogen in Methylobrevis pamukkalensis PK2

The ability of methylotrophic bacteria to synthesize storage polymers is of interest both for biotechnology and for understanding their adaptive strategies. We studied the dynamics of intracellular polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and glycogen accumulation by the facultative methylotroph Methylobrevis pamukkalensis PK2, depending on NaCl concentration in the medium (0.5 and 6%) and nitrogen availability for growth. Glycogen levels were shown to peak during growth on mannitol and under low osmotic load (0.5% NaCl). The maximum PHB level was observed during growth on mannitol under conditions of high salinity and nitrogen limitation. This metabolic plasticity underlines the potential of M. pamukkalensis PK2 for biotechnological applications in microbiological industry.