Mode of Long-chain Alkane Uptake by a Pseudomonas aeruginosa / 微生物学通报

ABSTRACT

The mode of long-chain alkane uptake by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CGMCC 1.1785) was studied. P. aeruginosa 1.1785 is capable of using solid long-chain alkane as sole carbon source and producing surface active compound as metabolite. The mass transfer limitation in uptake of alkane was confirmed from the observation that interfacial area of eicosane with water dominates the growth rate of this strain. The enhancement of eicosane uptake by rhamnolipid was mainly caused by increase of interfacial area, since the pseudosolubilized alkane can not support the growth of P. aeruginosa 1.1785. Cell surface hydrophobicity was increased dramatically at the initial phase of growth and followed by a gradual decrease, which indicates that different modes are employed by P. aeruginosa 1.1785 at different growth phase. Therefore, the surfactant mediated mode can be negligible in the uptake process, while the directly attachment mode may not work throughout the growth of P. aeruginosa 1.1785. We proposed a novel uptake mode, in which the chemotaxis of this strain plays an important role.