KARAKTERISASI MORFOLOGI DAN FISIOLOGI ISOLAT BAKTERI PENGHASIL POLIHIDROKSIALKANOAT ASAL RIAU

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a biodegradable polymer substitute for synthetic plastics accumulated naturally in bacteria as a reserve of carbon and intracellular energy under unbalanced environmental conditions.This study aimed to characterize two isolates of PHA-producing bacteria from peat soils in Riau Province. Morphological characterization was carried out by growing isolates on Nutrient Agar (NA) medium and incubated at room temperature for 24 hours. In addition, physiological characterization was carried out by growing isolates on Luria Bertani (LB) medium and incubated for 24 hours. Both isolates generated colonies with a circular shape, moderate size, curled edges, flat elevation, and creamy white pigmentation. Observations of bacterial cells showed a bacillus-shaped Gram-negative with 2.8-3.0 μm and 1.8-3.76 μm in length and 1.1-1.20 μm and 1.0-1 μm.21 in width, respectively. Physiological characters showed that both isolates are able to grow at room temperature, salt content ranges from 1%-3%, and pH 5-7.