RANDOM COPOLYMER COMPRISING D-(-)-3-HYDROXYBUTYRATE UNITS AND D-(-)-3-HYDROXYVALERATE, AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF

摘要

A random copolymer comprising less than 50 mole% of D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate units and more than 50 mole% of D-(-)-3-hydroxyvalerate units, the percentages being based on the total amount of the two units. A process for producing the random copolymer which comprises (1) cultivating a microorganism having the ability to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) to grow and proliferate the cells of the microorganism, (2) cultivating the cells in the presence of a valeric acid or in the copresence of a valeric acid and an n-butyric acid while limiting the amount of nitrogen or phosphorus to produce and accumulate a random copolymer comprising D-(-)-3-hydroxy-butyrate units and D-(-)-3-hydroxyvalerate units within the cells, and thereafter, (3) recovering the copolymer from the cells.