Monitoring proliferation and material production of Cupriavidus necator H16 using cell count and volume measurement

Abstract Knallgas bacteria, including Cupriavidus necator H16, are promising cell factories for converting CO2 into high-value compounds under autotrophic conditions. C. necator H16 synthesizes polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a class of biodegradable plastics. However, the trade-off between cell prolif...

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Main Authors: Kouhei Kamasaka, Naoki Abekawa, Koji Takeda, Kentaro Noi, Mami Matsuda, Keiji Matsumoto, Noboru Yumoto, Akihiko Kondo, Tomohisa Hasunuma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16567-4
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Summary:Abstract Knallgas bacteria, including Cupriavidus necator H16, are promising cell factories for converting CO2 into high-value compounds under autotrophic conditions. C. necator H16 synthesizes polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a class of biodegradable plastics. However, the trade-off between cell proliferation and PHA production often limits productivity as a result of competition for cellular resources. Real-time monitoring of both processes is crucial for optimizing this balance. However, optical density (OD), a conventional metric for monitoring proliferation, is unreliable in organisms that accumulate intracellular products such as PHA. Traditional methods such as chromatography require complex sample preparation and are not suitable for real-time analysis. This study demonstrated that the cell counts and volume measured using a Coulter counter are reliable indicators of proliferation and PHA production. This approach enables rapid and accurate monitoring and supports the optimization of material production through microbial fermentation.
ISSN:2045-2322