Leland Stanford Junior University

Katherine H Rostkowski

Craig S Criddle

Eric R Sundstrom

A method of selection for type II methanotrophs is provided that includes enriching a microbial feedstock using a non-sterile bioreactor with a methane source and a nitrogen source, where the microbial feedstock includes a mixture of Type I and Type II methanotrophic cells, where an inhibited growth of the Type I methanotrophic cells and an enhanced growth of the Type II methanotrophic cells forms. The method further includes exposing intermittently the enriched microbial feedstock to i) nitrate, ii) urea, or i) and ii), where enhanced growth of the Type II methanotrophs is established, and exposing the Type II methanotrophs to an unbalanced growth condition where production of polyhydroxybutyrate is induced.

Growing community of inventors

Washington, DC, United States of America

Katherine H Rostkowski