Using multi factor optimization strategy, a yield of 69% of dry cell weight (dcw) ( 61 mg L−1 day−1) was achieved at reduced level of nutrients for an incubation period of 7 days. The polymer productivity was increased up to 98.3 mg L-1day-1 (71% dcw) and 109.7 mg L−1 day−1 (78% dcw), respectively under P- and N-deficiencies.Moreover, the poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) homopolymer and P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymer films produced by N. muscorum, were analyzed for their material (thermal and mechanical) properties,and were compared with the PHAs obtained from other cyanobacterial and bacterial sources. Structural details
were investigated by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD), which showed semicrystalline nature for PHB as well
as P(3HB-co-3HV) co-polymers. Thermal andmechanical properties of the polymer films produced by the test cyanobacteriumare
comparable with the polymers obtained from other cyanobacterial (Aulosira fertilissima CCC 444), bacterial
(Cupriavidus necator) and the commercial polypropylene, and thus could be ensued for large-scale production.