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Poly β Hydroxybutyrate Polyglucan Granules-

Poly- β-hydroxybutyrate, a granular energy reserve compound, is found in several bacteria.

The granules of this substance stain with Sudan Black, and were therefore formerly called lipid granules, but arc in fact polylactides.

Poly-β -hydroxybutyrate is formed by the condensation of acetyl CoA, forming acetoacetyl CoA.

This is then reduced to J3-hydroxybutyryl CoA before polymerization.

In some bacterial species, e. g., Bacillus megatherium, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate may make up as much as 60% of the dry weight, especially after growth on acetate or butyrate,

These two compounds are the sources of acetyl CoA.