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Poly‐β‐hydroxyalkanoates consumption during degradation of 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol by Sphingopyxis chilensis S37
Author(s) -
Godoy F.A.,
Bunster M.,
Matus V.,
Aranda C.,
González B.,
Martínez M.A.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2003.01315.x
Subject(s) - food science , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , degradation (telecommunications) , bacteria , biology , telecommunications , computer science , genetics
Aims: To analyse the possible effect of poly‐ β ‐hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) consumption on 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (2,4,6‐TCP) degradation during starvation by Sphingopyxis chilensis S37 strain, which stores PHAs and degrades 2,4,6‐TCP. Methods and Results: The strain was inoculated in saline solution supplemented with 2,4,6‐TCP (25–400 μ m ). Chlorophenol degradation was followed both spectrophotometrically and by chlorine released; viable bacterial counts were also determined. Cells starved for 24, 48 or 72 h were incubated with 25 μ m of 2,4,6‐TCP and PHA in cells investigated by spectrofluorimetric and flow cytometry. Results demonstrated that starvation decreased the ability to degrade 2,4,6‐TCP. After 72 h of starvation, degradation of 2,4,6‐TCP decreased to less than 10% and the relative PHA content diminished to ca 50% during the first 24 h. Conclusion: Utilization of PHA may be an important factor for the degradation of toxic compounds, such as 2,4,6‐TCP, in bacterial strains unable to use this toxic compound as carbon and energy source. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study describing a relationship between intracellular PHA consumption and 2,4,6‐TCP degradation. Therefore, PHAs provides an endogenous carbon and energy source under starvation and can play a significant role in the degradation of toxic compounds.