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Characterization of a moderate thermophilic Nocardia species able to grow on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Author(s) -
Zeinali M.,
Vossoughi M.,
Ardestani S.K.
Publication year - 2007
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 - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2007.02241.x
Subject(s) - strain (injury) , thermophile , 16s ribosomal rna , polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon , bacteria , hydrocarbon , microbiology and biotechnology , nocardia , biodegradation , chemistry , food science , biology , environmental chemistry , organic chemistry , genetics , anatomy
Aims: Our goal was the characterization of a new moderate thermophilic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)‐utilizing Nocardia strain. Methods and Results: A thermophilic bacterium, strain TSH1, was isolated from a contaminated soil. The macroscopic and microscopic features fit well with the description of Nocardia species. The results of 16S rRNA gene analysis showed 100% match to the type strain of N. otitidiscaviarum DSM 43242 T . Strain TSH1 showed the same mycolic acid pattern as the type strain of N. otitidiscaviarum but its fatty acid profile did not permit identification to the species level. The carbon utilization profile of strain TSH1 was different from N. otitidiscaviarum . The results of hydrophobicity measurements showed that PAHs‐grown cells were significantly more hydrophobic than LB‐grown cells. Furthermore, biosurfactant production was detected during bacterial growth on different culture media. Conclusions: Strain TSH1 is capable of growing on a range of PAHs. When grown in PAHs‐supplemented media, strain TSH1 showed a high affinity for the organic phase, suggesting that it can develop a hydrophobic surface. Significance and Impact of the Study: High cell surface hydrophobicity and capability of strain TSH1 to degrade different PAHs at 50°C may make it an ideal candidate to treat PAH‐contaminated desert soils.