Utilization of Raman spectroscopy and Raman tweezers for analysis and isolation of PHA producing bacteria

This diploma thesis deals with the study of the utilization of Raman spectroscopy and Raman tweezers for analysis and isolation of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) producing bacteria. Using gas chromatography with FID detection, we determined the polyhydroxybutyrate (P(3HB)) content of the PHA biomass of bacterial strains Burkholderia cepacia, Halomonas halophila, Cupriavidus necator H16 and its mutant strain Cupriavidus necator H16/PHB-4 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii, which is not a producer of polyhydroxyalkanoates but this bactrea was selected as representative of Gram-positive bacteria. Subsequently, thanks to Raman microspectroscopy, Raman tweezers and FT-IR spectrometer in combination with Raman FT-module, we were able to confirm or disprove the presence of P(3HB) in bacteria. Furthermore, the thesis describes Cupriavidus necator H16, which is a model organism for the production of P(3HB), and his mutant strain Cupriavidus necator H16/PHB-4. The bacterial strain Cupriavidus necator H16 was cultivated in a production mineral medium of various nitrogen contents, while cultivation was also carried out in liquid Nutrient Broth. By this cultivation we were able to reach various P(3HB) content in bacterial biomass, the spectra were subsequently compared with the spectrum of the bacterial strain Cupriavidus necator H16/PHB-4. Raman spectroscopy is well used to characterize the composition of individual bacterial cells, is a fast, versatile, and virtually non-invasive tool for studying cells