Biological formation of 5-aminolevulinic acid by photosynthetic bacteria

In this study, 7 stains of Rhodopseudomonas sp. were selected from 36 photosynthetic bacteria stains storied in our laboratory. Rhodopseudomonas sp. strain 99 28 has the highest 5 aminolevulinic acid(ALA) production ability in these 7 strains. Rhodopseudomonas sp. 99 28 strain was mutated using ultraviolet radiation and a mutant strain L 1, which ALA production is higher than wild strain 99 28 about one times, was obtained. The elements affecting ALA formation of strain 99 28 and L 1 were studied. Under the optimal condition(pH 7 5, supplement of ALA dehydratase(ALAD) inhibitor, levulinic acid(LA) and precursors of ALA synthesis, glycine and succinat, 3000 lx of light density), ALA formation of mutant L 1 was up to 22 15 mg/L. Strain L 1 was used to treat wastewater to remove COD Cr and produce ALA. ALA production was 2 819 mg/L, 1 531 mg/L, 2 166 mg/L, and 2 424 mg/L in monosodium glutamate wastewater(MGW), succotash wastewater(SW), brewage wastewater(BW), and citric acid wastewater(CAW) respectively. More than 90% of COD Cr was removed in four kinds of wastewater. When LA, glycin and succinate were supplied, ALA production was dramatically increased, however, COD Cr could hardly be removed.