Growth behavior (A) and PHB accumulation (B and C) of R. eutropha H16 and various mutants in MSM under storage conditions containing 1.0% (wt/vol) sodium gluconate. After 12, 24, 36, and 48 h poly(3HB) contents were analyzed by gas chromatography. (A) Growth of the wild type (×) and of the mutants H16Δ2 (▪), H16Δ3 (•), H16Δ6 (▴), H16Δ7 (⧫), and H16Δ8 (*). The arrows indicate the times of sample drawing. (B and C) Poly(3HB) contents of cells of strains as indicated and as shown in panels B (single mutants) or C (multiple mutants), respectively. Samples were withdrawn after 12 h (white bars), 24 h (light gray bars), 36 h (dark gray bars) or 48 h (black bars).