Özet:
Plastic has an essential importance in our lives. However, the disposal of these
non-biodegradable plastics poses a threat to our environment. In addition to their
chemical and physical properties, biocompatible and biodegradable
polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) have the potential to be alternative to petroleumbased plastics. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), which is the most common derivative
of PHA, is generated as an alternative petrochemical plastics due to their
biodegradable qualifications. In this thesis, twelve Cyanobacteria species from the
paddy fields of Edirne were isolated, and with twelve Cyanobacteria species from
the IMU culture library, which were also collected from Turkey’s inland waters
have been identified on morphologic and genomic base. Studied diazotrophic
Cyanobacteria have been investigated for their PHB contents, which is
biodegradable, renewable, biologically suitable, non-toxic, and environmentally
friendly bioplastics. The best culture medium selection has been performed, and
Calothrix sp. IMU10, Nostoc sp. IMU11, and Anabaena sp. IMU18 have been
selected as the best diazotrophic PHB producer Cyanobacteria. Also, PHB analysis
methods and the maximization of extraction technics have been investigated.
Furthermore, valuable Cyanobacterial by-products such as fatty acid methyl ester
and tri acyl glycerol, saccharide, chlorophyll-a, carotenoid, riboflavin, protein, and
phycobiliprotein have been measured.
