Alcaligenes eutrophus

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Alcaligenes eutrophus is a bacterial species that naturally produces polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). PHA's are a broad type of biodegradable polymers that can be used for biodegradable plastics. A. eutrophus specifically produces polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), which it uses for storing carbon when in an environment with abundant carbon, but limited essential nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphorus. The gene for PHB production has been cloned and engineered into plants.