The effect of temperature on eicosane substrate uptake modes by a marine bacterium Pseudomonas nautica strain 617: relationship with the biochemical content of cells and supernatants

Three hydrocarbon uptake modes (adherence, emulsification and solubilization) were identified and quantified in cells and supernatants of a mesophilic marine bacterium Pseudomonas nautica strain 617 grown on eicosane. The adherence capacity was related to the enrichment of cells with wax esters and glycolipids. The emulsifying activity was related to the presence of extracellular biosurfactants composed of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids (35:63:2). The intensity of substrate uptake modes was sensitive to temperatures currently found in the original environment of P. nautica (16°C, 20°C and 32°C). When temperature decreased, a significant increase in adherence and emulsifying activity was observed in relation to biochemical changes, whereas solubilizing activity decreased. The marine bacterium was able to degrade 53–59% eicosane at the end of exponential growth after 13, 5 and 3 days incubation at 16°C, 20°C and 32°C respectively.     

Lipid studies on Candida tropicalis grown on alkane

The lipid composition of whole cells and microsomal fraction of Candida tropicalis grown on alkane, glucose and glycerol have been examined. Small quantitative variations in the total lipid content are detected; the differences observed in both triacylglycerols and phospholipids are related to the substrates used to the growth.     

Specific sodium dependence of a nitrate reductase in a marine bacterium

Abstract The two key enzymes of denitrification, the nitrate and nitrate reductases, were studied in a marine organism, Pseudomonas nautica , strain 617. Both enzymes were grown under anaerobic conditions with either nitrate or nitrous oxide as electron acceptor. The effect of sodium on these enzymes was studied. Only sodium activated the membranous and purified nitrate reductase, and none of the salts affected nitrite reductase.     

Anaerobic oxidation of 1-n-heptadecene by a marine denitrifying bacterium

Summary A denitrifying bacterium showing typical characteristics of Pseudomonas sp. (Al1) capable of growth on 1-heptadecene as the sole source of carbon and energy has been isolated from a hydrocarbon-polluted marine sediment by using classical enrichment techniques. The generation time for anaerobic growth on 1-heptadecene was 24 h, and the percentage of hydrocarbon degradation under anaerobic conditions ranged from 19 to 23%. The emulsifying capacity was observed and suggested that Al1 cultivated anaerobically on heptadecene produced surface-active agents. Offprint requests to: M. Gilewicz     

Hydroxylase regulation in Candida tropicalis grown on alkanes.

Candida tropicalis synthesizes a hydroxylase (3 to 5 nmol of product formed per minute per milligram of protein) and a cytochrome P-450 (0.10 to 0.13 nmol per milligram of protein) during growth on n-tetradecane. A three- to four-fold increase in the level of NADPH cytochrome c reductase is also observed in those cells as compared to the level of cells grown on glycerol. The most efficient inducers of the hydroxylase and of cytochrome P-450 are straight-chain alkanes having at least 10 carbon atoms. Alkenes and higher alcohols are also good inducers. There is little or no growth on ramified hydrocarbons such as pristane and on long-chain aldehydes and fatty acids. The partial inhibition of growth on decane is probably due to the denaturation of the microsomal electron carrier systems by the fatty acid formed by hydroxylation of the decane in the yeast.     

Effect of crude oil on denitrification and sulfate reduction in marine sediments

The denitrifying activity was measured in different types of sediment from the Mediterranean coast of France before, and after, a massive contamination (30–100 g kg^-1 sediment) of hydrocarbons. A closed system was used in order to maintain anoxic conditions and to control substrates and gaseous products concentrations. We have demonstrated that the respiratory metabolism was inhibited in all cases following an incubation time of 20 to 50 days. At this time, the addition of lactate restore the denitrifying activity. The inhibitory effect of crude oil was not related to an alteration of bacterial cells, but to changes in environmental conditions allowing denitrification. The presence of hydrocarbons in the sediments causes a decrease in the redox potential and a concomitant stimulation of the sulfate reduction.     

Isolation and characterization of a marine bacterium capable of utilizing 2-methylphenanthrene

A marine bacterium isolated from a coastal hydrocarbon-polluted sediment has been described and attributed on the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics to the genus Sphingomonas sp. This strain was capable of using an alkylated phenanthrene 2-methylphenanthrene, as sole source of carbon and energy. In experiments, 2-methylphenanthrene (0.2 g/l) was added as crystals to the culture medium. After 5 days of aerobic growth at 30 °C, 70% was degraded and the complete dissipation occurred after 20 days. Furthermore, the strain could degrade various kinds of polyaromatic compounds, but failed to grow on aliphatic hydrocarbons. Received: 27 December 1996 / Received last revision: 10 June 1997 / Accepted: 14 June 1997     

Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one by a denitrifying bacterium isolated from marine sediments.

This report describes the metabolism of 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one by a denitrifying bacterium (Marinobacter sp. strain CAB) isolated from marine sediments. Under aerobic and denitrifying conditions, this strain efficiently degraded this ubiquitous isoprenoid ketone. Several bacterial metabolites, 4,8,12-trimethyl-tridecan-1-ol, 4,8,12-trimethyltridecanal, 4,8,12-trimethyltridecanoic acid, Z-3,7-dimethylocten-2-oic acid, Z-3,7,11-trimethyldodecen-2-oic acid, and 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-ol, were formally identified, and different pathways were proposed to explain the formation of such isoprenoid compounds.     

A direct demonstration of "co-respiration" of oxygen and nitrogen oxides by Pseudomonas nautica: some spectral and kinetic properties of the respiratory components

Abstract: Pseudomonas nautica grown anaerobically is capable of simultaneously utilizing oxygen and nitrate or its reduced products (nitrite and nitrous oxide). Evidence for this 'co-respiration' came from kinetic studies on oxygen consumption depending on oxygen concentration and from spectral studies which revealed changes in the cytochromes composition of the electron transport chain under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. A constitutive o -type cytochrome oxidase was detected either aerobically or anaerobically with an apparent K _m for O₂ evaluated at 315 μM. Two oxidases were induced only in anaerobic conditions. One of these two enzymes identified as a cd -type cytochrome oxidase shows a relatively high affinity for oxygen with an apparent K _m value of 25 μM.     

Influence of oxygen on the microsomal electron transport system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The influence of oxygen on the level of microsomal electron transport chain components has been studied during the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Enzyme activities and cytochrome content were assayed in microsomal fractions prepared from a protoplast lysate free from mitochondrial contamination. It was found that the cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b5 content, to get her with the NADPH-cytochrome (P-450)-reductase and NADH-cytochrome (b5)-reductase activities, were increased in the cells as the pO2 of the medium was decreasing. At the same time an increase in the membrane surface of the endoplasmic reticulum can be observed.