• 한국토양비료학회지
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.572-581
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• 2012

In this study, we compared growth pattern, floc yield, Exo-polysaccharides (EPS) production, Poly-${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation, resistance to osmotic and acid stress in Methylobacterium strains CBMB20, CBMB27, CBMB35, and CBMB110. Modified high C:N ratio medium denoted as HCN-AMS medium was used with a C:N ratio of 30:1. The HCN-AMS medium favored increased growth in all the studied strains. All Methylobacterium strains tested positive for EPS production and showed positive fluorescence with calcoflour stain. Elevated levels of EPS production from 4.2 to 75.0% was observed in HCN-AMS medium. Accumulation of PHB in HCN-AMS medium increased by 3.8, 36.7, and 12.0% in strains CBMB27, CBMB35, and CBMB110 respectively. Among the abiotic stresses, osmotic stress-induced growth inhibition of Methylobacterium strains was found to be lowered when grown in HCN-AMS medium. Likewise, growth inhibition due to acid stress at pH 5.0 was lower for strains grown in HCN-AMS medium compared to growth in AMS medium. Enhanced survivability under stress conditions may be attributed to the high EPS and PHB production at increased carbon concentration in the growth medium.