Polyhydroxyalkanoate(PHA) is a family of carbon and energy storage materials synthesized by many bacteria

its hydroxyalkanoate monomers have diversified structures.A broad screening process using the FT-IR technique developed by us previously was carried out.Samples were collected from various geological locations around the country.It was found that PHA compositions depend very much on the geological locations.In some locations

bacteria mainly synthesized short-chain-length PHA(scl PHA) consisting of monomers with four to five carbon atoms

in other locations

medium-chain-length PHA(mcl PHA) consisting of monomers with six to sixteen carbon atoms were accumulated by inhabiting bacteria.Additionally

the synthesis of blend polymers consisting of PHB

scl PHA and mcl PHA is a common phenomenon among the bacteria studied.40% of the 371 strains cultivated on six substrates is able to synthesize PHA

with many of them making blends of PHB and mcl PHA.This result will help polymer researchers to identify sources of PHA synthesis.