近海柴油降解菌群的构建及其对柴油的降解特性

【目的】实施近海柴油污染的生物治理。【方法】以柴油为唯一碳源,从深圳港口海域富集筛选柴油降解菌;采用复配、正交试验等方式构建混合菌群;通过单因素试验研究环境因素对菌群降解柴油的影响;使用气相色谱-氢火焰检测器(GC-FID)分析降解前后柴油各组分的变化;通过生理生化试验和16S rRNA基因序列分析对菌株进行鉴定。【结果】获得了16株柴油降解菌,7 d内对柴油的降解率最高达40.8%;选择菌株C1-8、C2-10、C3-13构建了混合菌群CQ1,投加量分别为0.5%、2.0%和1.0%,CQ1对柴油去除率比单菌提高了10%以上;CQ1的最适环境条件为：温度30 °C、pH 7.6、摇床转速220 r/min、柴油浓度20 g/L,优化后9 d内对柴油去除率达60%以上;GC-FID结果显示,菌群CQ1可降解大部分C11?C27的正构烷烃,对C21?C27的烷烃降解可达100%。经鉴定,菌株C1-8、C2-10和C3-13分别为微杆菌(Microbacterium sp.)、剑菌(Ensifer sp.)和变异棒杆菌(Corynebacterium variabile)。【结论】CQ1在近海柴油污染的生物修复中具有良好的应用前景。     

铜绿假单胞菌SJTD-2降解长链烷烃与原油的特性

摘要:【目的】石油污染严重威胁生态系统和生物圈,微生物修复被认为是一种安全有效可代替物化方法来治理石油污染的办法。本文对我们从石油污染土壤中分离获得的一株可分解正烷烃和原油的革兰氏阴性菌SJTD-2的理化性质和降解效能进行了研究。【方法】利用菌株表型和生理性质、16S rRNA序列比较分析与进化树绘制,确定新分离菌株SJTD-2的种属;测定菌株SJTD-2的生长曲线,确定其利用不同长度烷烃和原油为单一碳源的效能;利用GC-MS检测烷烃类物质的残留量,确定菌株SJTD-2降解烷烃和原油SJTD-2的降解效率和降解周期。【结果】菌株表型与16S rRNA序列比较及进化树比对分析结果显示,菌株SJTD-2与假单胞菌属的亲缘关系十分接近,为铜绿假单胞菌。菌株SJTD-2 可有效分解C10到C26的中链和长链烷烃及原油,利用它们作为其单一碳源生长;该菌株对长链烷烃(C18－C22)的利用效果较中链烷烃好,其中正二十二烷被认为是其最佳碳源。48 h内,该菌株可完全降解500 mg/L正二十二烷;72h 后,2 g/L的正二十二烷可几乎被菌株全部分解利用。此外,菌株SJTD-2在7 d内可将2 g/L的原油分解88%以上。【结论】与现有其它烷烃降解菌相比,铜绿假单胞菌SJTD-2具有突出的长链烷烃与原油降解效能及耐受能力,该菌株的发现与研究将有助于烷烃降解机制的研究和环境修复的进程。     

煤矿废水中正十八烷降解菌C1801的分离鉴定及降解特性

正十八烷是难以被降解的长链烷烃,会对环境、水生生物及人类健康造成危害,而利用生物降解法可以有效地去除正十八烷。从中国陕西神木某煤矿处理厂的煤矿废水水样中分离出正十八烷降解菌C1801,根据菌株形态特征观察、革兰氏染色以及16S rDNA基因序列的同源性分析,鉴定其为嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌（Stenotrophomonas maltophilia）,并探究了其对正十八烷的适宜降解条件以及对其他长链烷烃的降解能力。结果表明,在以正十八烷为唯一碳源环境中培养8 d后,C1801对800 mg/L的正十八烷的降解率达到了92.45%。C1801菌株降解正十八烷的最适温度为35 ℃,最适pH值为9.0,底物浓度最高耐受范围为1 000 mg/L,最适宜的接种量为10%。此外,结果显示C1801菌株对正二十五烷、正二十一烷及正二十烷这些长链烷烃亦具有降解能力。     

一株高效烷烃降解菌Acinetobacter sp. LAM1007的分离鉴定及降解特性

【目的】挖掘高效烷烃降解菌,为后续石油烃污染修复工程提供优良菌种资源。【方法】以正十六烷为唯一碳源,将大庆石油污染土样中分离筛选到的高效烷烃降解菌经形态观察、生理生化试验、细胞化学组分及16SrRNA基因序列分析等方法进行初步鉴定与系统分类;同时通过单因素试验研究环境因素(温度、pH、接种量和转速)以及不同初始浓度的正十六烷(0.1%、0.3%、0.5%、1.0%、1.5%、2.0%,体积比)对菌株降解效率的影响。【结果】筛选到一株高效烷烃降解菌LAM1007,经初步鉴定该菌株为不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)。该菌株在添加正十六烷的无机盐培养基中的最适降解条件为:30°C,pH 7.0,接种量1%(体积比),转速180 r/min,在该条件下浓度为0.3%(体积比)的正十六烷60 h内降解率高达90%。【结论】菌株LAM1007是一株在石油烃污染修复方面极具应用潜力的高效烷烃降解菌。     

红树林湿地石油降解菌群的构建

近年来海洋污染正在日趋加剧,其中石油污染尤为严重。目前,采用微生物降解是解决海洋石油污染的有效途径之一,而滨海区域的红树林湿地是石油残留聚集和降解的重要生态系统之一。为了构建降解石油的优势菌群,分别以正十六烷烃和萘为唯一碳源,通过富集培养,从受石油污染的红树林淤泥(即土壤)中分离得到2株烷烃降解菌(即Z1、Z3)和2株芳香烃降解菌(即N1、N4)。采用三因素三水平进行正交试验,优化得到降解率最高的菌株组合,并确定了各菌株的最佳投加配比。结果表明:烷烃降解菌Z1、Z3和芳香烃降解菌N1组合的菌群降解石油效果最好,当石油初始质量浓度为2.0 g·L^-1,接种量6%,30℃好氧培养72 h,石油降解率达47.3%;且当N1、Z1、Z3三种菌的投加配比为3:1:3时降解效果最佳,好氧培养72 h,石油降解率达51.2%。     

构巢曲霉冻干菌粉的制备及优化

【背景】目前,用以降解园林绿化废弃物中木质素的菌剂多为液体菌剂或固体菌剂,鲜有对粉状菌剂的研究。【目的】研制高活性冻干菌粉,提高其冻干存活率并优化其工艺,以解决液体菌剂或固体菌剂在运输、储藏及使用上存在的问题。【方法】以一株木质素降解菌构巢曲霉(Aspergillus nidulans)为研究对象,利用真空冷冻干燥法制备冻干菌粉。以菌株的冻干存活率为评价指标,通过单因素试验筛选适于菌株冻干过程的保护剂种类及浓度梯度,再通过正交试验优化冻干菌粉复合保护剂配方。获得配方后,进一步探究冻干菌粉的复水条件和储藏条件。【结果】保护效果较优的4种保护剂成分经复配后对冻干存活率的影响顺序为蔗糖>葡萄糖>脱脂乳粉> α-乳糖。经优化后的保护剂配方以蔗糖15%、葡萄糖1%、α-乳糖10%、脱脂乳粉1%为最佳;复水条件以生理盐水为溶剂,复水30 min为最优。在此条件下制备和使用冻干菌粉,菌株的冻干存活率可达83.33%,有效活菌数可达1.2×10¹⁰ CFU/g。最佳储藏温度为-20 ℃,在此温度下保存28 d后,菌粉活性无明显下降。【结论】该研究获得的制备和储藏构巢曲霉冻干菌粉条件,具有菌株损失率低、可长时间保存的特点,对推进木质素降解菌在实际生产中应用具有积极作用。     

红树林湿地烷烃降解菌的分离筛选

从受石油污染的红树林湿地土样中分离筛选对烷烃具较高降解能力的细菌菌株, 以期应用于被石油污染滨海湿地的生物修复。采用富集培养方法, 富集、分离和筛选烷烃降解菌;观察各菌落及菌体形态特征;测试菌株Z2的生理生化特征, 并用16S rDNA序列分析方法进行该菌种鉴定。分离筛选得到Z1、Z2和Z3这3个能以正十六烷为唯一碳源生长的菌株, 其降解率依次为63.4%、82.5%和78.3%, 其中菌株Z2的降解率最高。经过形态学观察、生理生化特性实验和16S rDNA序列分析鉴定, 菌株Z2为不动杆菌(Acinetobacter sp.)。     

机油高效降解菌的筛选鉴定及降解特性的初步研究

为丰富机油降解微生物菌种库,筛选适应性更强的机油高效降解菌株。以20#机油和真空泵油为唯一碳源,筛选出机油高效降解菌,经细菌形态学、生理生化及16S rRNA序列分析对机油高效降解菌株进行鉴定,采用紫外分光光度法和气相色谱质谱联用(GC-MS)研究菌株降解特性。从初筛的22株机油降解菌中筛选出4株机油高效降解菌株,分别为JZ6、JZ18、JZ41和JZ50,经鉴定4株菌株分别为Massilia sp、Pseudomona sp、Sphingobacterium sp和Shinella zoogloeoides sp,在含机油培养基中30℃培养7 d后,机油降解率分别为42.62%、33.67%、33.36%和40.52%。在温度20-40℃,pH5-9条件下菌株都具有降解机油的能力,4株菌株均能以十二烷、十六烷、十八烷和苯和萘为唯一碳源生长,JZ6和JZ50还能在含芘和菲的培养基中生长。GC-MS分析发现菌株JZ6、JZ18、JZ41和JZ50对总烷烃的降解率分别达到68.66%、52.69%、49.37%和61.40%,对直链烷烃的降解率分别为86.89%、55.98%、58.42%和89.13%,其中菌株JZ6和JZ50对除烷烃的其他芳香烃类物质也具有一定的降解作用。筛选出的4株机油降解菌具有较强机油降解能力,适应性强,可用于机油污染环境的生物修复。     

高盐含油废水中微生物筛选及系统发育研究

对舟山港口的油轮冲洗水样品嗜盐微生物进行筛选,得到7株菌株,其中DG30-2b、T37-2b和DG30-3b对体积分数为1.0%的稠油降解效果较好,降解率分别为28.5%、24.1%和18.7%。这3株菌分别为Bacillus cereus(蜡状芽胞杆菌)、Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus(木糖短小芽胞杆菌)和Thauera aminoaro-matica(氨基脂陶厄氏菌)。对这3株菌进行了降解条件优化,发现其在原油中的最适降解温度均为30℃,最适pH为7.0,最适原油降解浓度为体积分数0.5%。菌株DG30-2b和T37-2b的最适降解盐度均为质量分数2.0%,而菌株DG30-3b最适降解盐度为质量分数3.0%。将该3株菌按照体积比1:1:1混合后组成DGT菌群,对体积分数为1.0%的石油污染的土壤进行处理,并进行GC/MS色谱测定后,对污染物的迁移规律做了初步分析,结果显示C25以上的烷烃含量降低,C18左右的烷烃含量增多,表明菌群DGT有较好的降解效果,具有将长链烷烃降解为短链烷烃的能力。     

黄曲霉毒素B1降解菌的分离鉴定及其降解特性

【目的】黄曲霉毒素是一类强毒、致癌的真菌次级代谢产物。本文旨在筛选出能高效降解黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)的细菌。【方法】以AFB1结构类似物香豆素为惟一碳源进行AFB1降解菌株初筛,得到的活性菌株的培养液分别与AFB1标准品(2.5μg/mL)共同作用,以AFB1降解率为指标进行复筛。对降解活性最好的菌株通过形态、生理生化特性以及16S rRNA序列分析进行初步鉴定;并对细胞浓度、pH、温度、金属离子等对菌株降解活性的影响进行考察。【结果】初筛获得了10株在香豆素培养基上生长良好的细菌,复筛发现这些菌均具有良好的AFB1降解活性,其中从金毛羚牛粪便中筛选出的菌株F4降解活性最好,去除AFB1能力达到90.03%。根据F4菌株16S rRNA序列同源性分析,结合形态、生理生化特性,初步确定菌株F4为施氏假单胞菌(Pseudomonas stutzeri)。F4的降解活性与细胞浓度呈正相关。当pH 7.0,35℃,菌细胞作用72 h后毒素降解率达到82.91%。Mg2+可增强F4的降解活性,降解率提高7.68%,而Cu2+可抑制其降解活性,降解率降低51.1%。【结论】筛选到能高效降解AFB1的施氏假单胞菌(Pseudomonas stutzeri)F4,F4降解毒素的活性物质主要存在于菌体细胞,其作用受到温度、pH等的影响,可能是一种胞内酶。     

高效降解石油外生菌根真菌的室内筛选

对7个外生菌根真菌菌株在不同石油浓度培养基中的生长及其对石油的降解作用进行了研究。结果表明:(1)不同菌株在同一石油浓度培养基中生长速度不同,同一菌株在不同石油浓度培养基中的生长速度亦不同。菌株010和菌株025在不同石油浓度培养基中生长速度均较其他菌株快。菌株010的菌丝干重随着石油浓度的增加而增加,当石油质量浓度为500 mg/L时,菌丝干重达到最大值,高于对照5.27%,石油对其生长产生了促进作用;当石油质量浓度为700 mg/L时,菌丝干重低于对照,随着石油质量浓度的升高,菌株生长呈下降趋势。石油质量浓度为100 mg/L时,菌株025生长最慢,菌丝干重低于对照9.1%。随着石油浓度的增加,菌株生长加快,当石油质量浓度为500 mg/L时,菌丝干重高于对照;当石油质量浓度为700 mg/L时,菌株025菌丝干重最高,高于对照25.65%。随着石油浓度的再度升高,菌株生长呈下降趋势。(2)不同菌株在同一石油浓度下对石油的降解能力不同,同一菌株在不同石油浓度下对石油的降解能力亦不同。菌株025对石油的降解能力最强,对石油的降解能力随着石油浓度的升高而提高。当培养基中石油质量浓度为900 mg/L时,菌株025对石油的降解率最高,达到73.65%。(3)菌株0100、09、035、LH004的菌丝生物量与对石油的降解能力呈正相关。     

降解水稻秸秆的复合菌系及其微生物群落结构演替北大核心CSCD

【目的】比较和分析从堆肥中富集的水稻秸秆降解菌系F1和F2的纤维素分解能力、微生物群落结构及其在秸秆降解过程中的演替,从而探究微生物群落结构与秸秆降解效率的相关性。【方法】采用DNS(3,5-二硝基水杨酸,3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid)定糖法测定发酵液中的外切纤维素酶活;采用范氏(Van Soest)洗涤纤维分析法测定发酵前与发酵后的秸秆纤维素、半纤维素、木质素的含量,并计算降解率;采用16S r RNA基因序列分析和实时荧光定量PCR(Quantitative real-time PCR,Q-PCR)对秸秆降解过程中的微生物物种组成及特定的功能微生物进行定性和定量分析。【结果】复合菌系F1的水稻秸秆总降解率、纤维素降解率、半纤维素降解率显著高于复合菌系F2;2种复合菌系的外切纤维素酶活性与cel48基因的拷贝数变化趋势一致;复合菌系F1的物种较丰富,优势物种是好氧细菌,复合菌系F2的物种组成较单一,培养后期具有较高比例的厌氧纤维素分解菌;培养前4天,复合菌系F1和F2的优势物种均为Unclassified Bacillales和Bacillus;第4天之后,不同复合菌系的优势物种及丰度出现差异,F1的优势物种主要属于Bacteroidetes,F2的优势物种主要属于Firmicutes;虽然Petrimonas和Pusillimonas是培养后期的共有优势物种,但是Petrimonas在复合菌系F2中的相对丰度(38.30%)显著高于F1(9.47%),且培养第8天的F2中的Clostridiales OPB54增加至14.85%。【结论】cel48基因拷贝数变化与秸秆纤维素的降解效率、外切纤维素酶活性变化具有一定的相关性,cel48基因可作为潜在的生物分子标记监测秸秆纤维素的降解过程;微生物群落结构对秸秆纤维素的降解效率具有显著影响,Unclassified Bacillales,Bacillus,Petrimonas,Pusillimonas是复合菌系F1和F2降解秸秆纤维素过程中的重要物种。     

Biodegradation of diazinon by Serratia marcescens DI101 and its use in bioremediation of contaminated environment

Four diazinon-degrading bacteria were isolated from agricultural soil by using an enrichment technique. The biochemical analysis and molecular method including RFLP indicated that these isolates were identical, and one strain designated DI101 was selected for further study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequencing indicated that the strain DI101 clearly belongs to the Serratia marcescens group. The ability of the strain to utilize diazinon as a source of carbon and phosphorus was investigated under different culture conditions. The DI101 strain was able to completely degrade 50 mg/l diazinon in MSM within 11 days with a degradation rate of 0.226 day-1. The inoculation of sterilized soil treated with 100 mg/kg of diazinon with 10(6) CFU/g DI101 resulted in a faster degradation rate than was recorded in non-sterilized soil. The diazinon degradation rate by DI101 was efficient at temperatures from 25 to 30degrees C and at pHs from 7.0 to 8.0. The degradation rate of diazinon was not affected by the absence of a phosphorus supplement, and addition of other carbon sources (glucose or succinate) resulted in the slowing down of the degradation rate. The maximum degradation rate (Vmax) of diazinon was 0.292 day-1 and its saturation constant (Ks) was 11 mg/l, as determined by a Michaelis-Menten curve. The strain was able to degrade diethylthiophosphate-containing organophosphates such as chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, parathion, and isazofos when provided as a source of carbon and phosphorus, but not ethoprophos, cadusafos, and fenamiphos. These results propose useful information for the potential application of the DI101 strain in bioremediation of pesticide-contaminated environments.     

Surfactant-enhanced biodegradation of high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by stenotrophomonas maltophilia

The objectives of this study were to isolate and evaluate microorganisms with the ability to degrade high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the presence of synthetic surfactants. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia VUN 10,010, isolated from PAH-contaminated soil, utilized pyrene as a sole carbon and energy source and also degraded other high molecular weight PAHs containing up to seven benzene rings. Various synthetic surfactants were tested for their ability to improve the PAH degradation rate of strain VUN 10,010. Anionic and cationic surfactants were highly toxic to this strain, and the Tween series was used as a growth substrate. Five nonionic surfactants (Brij 35, Igepal CA-630, Triton X-100, Tergitol NP-10, and Tyloxapol) were not utilized by, and were less toxic to, strain VUN 10,010. MSR and log Km values were determined for fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene in the presence of these nonionic surfactants and their apparent solubility was increased by a minimum of 250-fold in the presence of 10 g L-1 of all surfactants. The rate of pyrene degradation by strain VUN 10,010 was enhanced by the addition of four of the nonionic surfactants (5-10 g L-1); however, 5 g L-1 Igepal CA-630 inhibited pyrene degradation and microbial growth. The specific growth rate of VUN 10,010 on pyrene was increased by 67% in the presence of 10 g L-1 Brij 35 or Tergitol NP-10. The addition of Brij 35 and Tergitol NP-10 to media containing a single high molecular weight PAH (four and five benzene rings) as the sole carbon source increased the maximum specific PAH degradation rate and decreased the lag period normally seen for PAH degradation. The addition of Tergitol NP-10 to VUN 10,010 cultures which contained a PAH mixture (three to seven benzene rings) substantially improved the overall degradation rate of each PAH and increased the specific growth rate of VUN 10,010 by 30%. Evaluation of the use of VUN 10,010 for degrading high molecular weight PAHs in leachates from surfactant-flushed, weathered, PAH-contaminated sites is warranted. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Identification of novel genes involved in long-chain n-alkane degradation by Acinetobacter sp. strain DSM 17874

Acinetobacter sp. strain DSM 17874 is capable of utilizing n-alkanes with chain lengths ranging from that of decane (C10H22) to that of tetracontane (C40H82) as a sole carbon source. Two genes encoding AlkB-type alkane hydroxylase homologues, designated alkMa and alkMb, have been shown to be involved in the degradation of n-alkanes with chain lengths of from 10 to 20 C atoms in this strain. Here, we describe a novel high-throughput screening method and the screening of a transposon mutant library to identify genes involved in the degradation of n-alkanes with C chain lengths longer than 20, which are solid at 30 degrees C, the optimal growth temperature for Acinetobacter sp. strain DSM 17874. A library consisting of approximately 6,800 Acinetobacter sp. strain DSM 17874 transposon mutants was constructed and screened for mutants unable to grow on dotriacontane (C32H66) while simultaneously showing wild-type growth characteristics on shorter-chain n-alkanes. For 23 such mutants isolated, the genes inactivated by transposon insertion were identified. Targeted inactivation and complementation studies of one of these genes, designated almA and encoding a putative flavin-binding monooxygenase, confirmed its involvement in the strain's metabolism of long-chain n-alkanes. To our knowledge, almA represents the first cloned gene shown to be involved in the bacterial degradation of long-chain n-alkanes of 32 C's and longer. Genes encoding AlmA homologues were also identified in other long-chain n-alkane-degrading Acinetobacter strains.     

Mobility and Persistence of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Peat Soils of Southeastern Mexico

Spilled crude petroleum from oil wells contains numerous hydrocarbons, some of which are toxic and threaten life. We have studied the mobility and persistence of hydrocarbons in waterlogged soils that contain large proportions of fermented organic matter (Histosols) and large concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the State of Tabasco, Mexico. We sampled soil and phreatic water at sites polluted by oil spills for several decades, as well as at sites that had only recently (few weeks) been polluted, and compared their hydrocarbon contents with those of unaffected sites in the same area. Samples were analyzed for 16 non-alkylated polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes from nC9 to nC34. The spilled hydrocarbons had remained predominantly in the organic surface horizons of the soil where spillage occurred; there was little evidence of movement within the soil. The fraction of low molecular weight compounds was larger at sites of recent spills than where spills happened several decades ago. Nevertheless, sites of old spills still contained large concentrations of hydrocarbons, among which those of low molecular weight represented from 30 to 49% of total PAHs and from 50 to 84% of total n-alkanes, indicating that volatilization or microbial degradation is slow in these soils. In the peat horizons the measured organic carbon partition coefficients (K _oc ) for the higher molecular weight PAHs were consistently smaller than those estimated by empirical equations by up to two orders of magnitude. The dissolved organic carbon of these peat soils seems to influence this behavior. At sites of old spills, partition coefficients for the PAHs were larger than at sites of recent spills.     

Two novel alkane hydroxylase-rubredoxin fusion genes isolated from a Dietzia bacterium and the functions of fused rubredoxin domains in long-chain n-alkane degradation

Two alkane hydroxylase-rubredoxin fusion gene homologs (alkW1 and alkW2) were cloned from a Dietzia strain, designated DQ12-45-1b, which can grow on crude oil and n-alkanes ranging in length from 6 to 40 carbon atoms as sole carbon sources. Both AlkW1 and AlkW2 have an integral-membrane alkane monooxygenase (AlkB) conserved domain and a rubredoxin (Rd) conserved domain which are fused together. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these two AlkB-fused Rd domains formed a novel third cluster with all the Rds from the alkane hydroxylase-rubredoxin fusion gene clusters in Gram-positive bacteria and that this third cluster was distant from the known AlkG1- and AlkG2-type Rds. Expression of the alkW1 gene in DQ12-45-1b was induced when cells were grown on C(8) to C(32) n-alkanes as sole carbon sources, but expression of the alkW2 gene was not detected. Functional heterologous expression in an alkB deletion mutant of Pseudomonas fluorescens KOB2Δ1 suggested the alkW1 could restore the growth of KOB2Δ1 on C(14) and C(16) n-alkanes and induce faster growth on C(18) to C(32) n-alkanes than alkW1ΔRd, the Rd domain deletion mutant gene of alkW1, which also caused faster growth than KOB2Δ1 itself. In addition, the artificial fusion of AlkB from the Gram-negative P. fluorescens CHA0 and the Rds from both Gram-negative P. fluorescens CHA0 and Gram-positive Dietzia sp. DQ12-45-1b significantly increased the degradation of C(32) alkane compared to that seen with AlkB itself. In conclusion, the alkW1 gene cloned from Dietzia species encoded an alkane hydroxylase which increased growth on and degradation of n-alkanes up to C(32) in length, with its fused rubredoxin domain being necessary to maintain the functions. In addition, the fusion of alkane hydroxylase and rubredoxin genes from both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria can increase the degradation of long-chain n-alkanes (such as C(32)) in the Gram-negative bacterium.     

Functional analysis of long-chain n-alkane degradation by Dietzia spp

The genetic background of long-chain n-alkane degradation was investigated in detail in strain E1, a member of the genetically unexplored Dietzia genus. A suicide vector carrying a 518-bp alkB fragment was site-specifically integrated into the E1 chromosome, and the full alkB, as well as its chromosomal environment was sequenced after plasmid rescue experiments. Four out of the nine putative genes were strongly induced by long-chain n-alkanes in wild-type E1. ORF4 encoded a natural fusion protein consisting of an integral membrane alkane hydroxylase and a rubredoxin domain. The significance of the alkB-rub gene in n-alkane degradation was investigated in phenotypic tests, and the disruption mutant strain exhibited severely impaired growth on n-C(20) alkane carbon source. The mutation was successfully complemented with the expression of intact AlkB-Rub protein, the full-length form of which was detected by simultaneous immunoblotting. The presented data furnish the first experimental evidence of the in vivo existence of an AlkB-Rub natural fusion protein, which plays a major role in long-chain n-alkane degradation.     

Degradation and utilization of cellulose and straw by three different anaerobic fungi from the ovine rumen

Three different ruminal fungi, a Neocallimastix sp. (strain LM-1), a Piromonas sp. (strain SM-1), and a Sphaeromonas sp. (strain NM-1), were grown anaerobically in liquid media which contained a suspension of either 1% (wt/vol) purified cellulose or finely milled wheat straw as the source of fermentable carbon. Fungal biomass was estimated by using cell wall chitin or cellular protein in cellulose cultures and chitin in straw cultures. Both strains LM-1 and SM-1 degraded cellulose with a concomitant increase in fungal biomass. Maximum growth of both fungi occurred after incubation for 4 days, and the final yield of protein was the same for both fungi. Cellulose degradation continued after growth ceased. Strain NM-1 failed to grow in the cellulose medium. All three anaerobic fungi grew in the straw-containing medium, and loss of dry weight from the cultures indicated degradation of straw to various degrees (LM-1 greater than SM-1 greater than NM-1). The total fiber component and the cellulose component of the straw were degraded in similar proportions, but the lignin component remained undegraded by any of the fungi. Maximum growth yield on straw occurred after 4 days for strain LM-1 and after 5 days for strains SM-1 and NM-1. The calculated yield of cellular protein for strain LM-1 was twice that of both strains SM-1 and NM-1. The cellular protein yield of strain SM-1 was the same in both cellulose and straw cultures. In contrast to cellulose, straw degradation ceased after the end of the growth phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)