Mokhtari-Hosseini - Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University,Tehran, I.R.Iran.
Heidarzadeh-Vazifekhoran - Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University,Tehran, I.R.Iran.
Vasheghani-Farahani - Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University,Tehran, I.R.Iran.
Shojaosadati - Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University,Tehran, I.R.Iran.

Plackett-Burman design was used to efficiently select important media components influencing PHB production. A total of 20 screening experiments were conducted for studing the effect of various media components such as carbon and nitrogen sources and minerals for the production of PHB and cell growth of Methylobacterium extorquens DSMZ 1338. Among the studied variables, nitrogen and phosphorus sources, MgSO4, CuSO4 and CoCl2 were found to be significant variables for PHB production by methanol. It was also shown that most of the trace elements, nitrogen and phosphorus sources were influential parameters on the growth of microorganism. The experimental results showed that deficiency of nitrogen source (NH4NO3), phosphorus source (K2HPO4), MgSO4 and CuSO4 in medium, increased PHB accumulation.

Methanol, Poly(hydroxybutyrate), Methylobacterium extorquens DSMZ 1338, Plackett-Burman Design