Production of a polysaccharide, methylan, in Methylobacterium organophilum by controlling ammonium ion

Abstract

Cell growth increased proportionally to the initial concentration of ammonium ion, however methylan production was significantly inhibited at the high concentration of ammonium ion. The control of ammonium ion within the desired level(usually 0.45 g/l) was needed to reduce the inhibition. Methylan production was increased to 12.5 g/l by maintaining ammonium ion below 0.15 g/l.