Characteristics of hexadecane partition by the growth medium of Acinetobacter sp.

The partition of n-hexadecane in the spent growth medium of Acinetobacter sp. HOI-N was determined by measuring the increase in the relative aqueous solubility of ³H-hexadecane as compared to controls. The amount of hexadecane partitioned was proportional to the protein concentration. The specific solubility of hexadecane (nmol/mg protein) was analyzed by least-squares fitting yielding an average slope of 0.6 with a standard deviation of 0.3, indicating either nonequilibrium of hexadecane or physical aggregation of protein. The amount of hexadecane partitioned was concentration dependent yielding optically clear microemulsions at hexadecane concentrations of less than 1.4mM and macroemulsions at hexadecane concentrations of 1.4mM or greater. Preliminary results indicated that hexadecane and partitioned by a lipoprotein complex.