Biological methane (CH 4 ) mitigation combined with biopolymer (PHA-polyhydroxyalkaonate/PHB-polyhydroxybutyrate) production is a viable option in this fossil fuel-constrained era.Methantrophs are bacteria that can re-route CH 4 into PHA/PHB under nutrient-starved conditions. However, most studies (up to 90%) investigated pure cultures to demonstrate capacity for PHA/PHB accumulation, which on an industrial scale is unlikely to be serviceable. Furthermore, commercialization is handicapped as there are still a number of unresolved issues which affect productivities, such as optimized process variables, characterization of robust consortia, and optimized reactor design. This review will summarize existing knowledge and highlight research needs to fast track methanotrophic PHA/PHB production from CH 4 .

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The aim of this review was to elucidate the role of copper and iron in regulating methane (CH4) oxidation and subsequent biopolymer (i.e. polyhydroxyalkanoate [PHA]) accumulation in methanotrophic bacteria. Specifically, the review emphasizes the “copper switch mechanism” that alters CH4 oxidizing enzyme activities, that is soluble‐ and particulate methane monooxygenases, in type II methanotrophic bacteria. Both copper and iron are essential nutrients and reports demonstrate that addition of either can improve PHA accumulation. However, based on analyses of available data, a major knowledge gap regarding a clear understanding of the interactive effects in regulating methane monooxygenase enzyme activities/gene expressions was identified in this review.

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