Isolation and characterization of a novel n-alkane-degrading strain, Acinetobacter haemolyticus AR-46.

Strain AR-46, isolated and identified as Acinetobacter haemolyticus, evolutionally distant from the known hydrocarbon-degrading Acinetobacter spp., proved to have excellent long-chain n-alkane-degrading ability. This is the first detailed report on an n-alkane-utilizing strain belonging to this species. The preferred substrate is n-hexadecane, with an optimal temperature of 37 degrees C under aerobic conditions. Five complete and two partial open reading frames were sequenced and correlated with the early steps of monoterminal oxidation-initiated n-alkane mineralization. The encoded protein sequences and the arrangement of these genes displayed high similarity to those found in Acinetobacter sp. M-1, but AR-46 seemed to have only one alkane hydroxylase gene, with a completely different induction profile. Unique behaviour was also observed in n-alkane bioavailability. Substrate uptake occurred through the hydrophobic surface of n-alkane droplet-adhered cells possessing long, thick fimbriae, which were presumed to play a major role in n-alkane solubilization. A majority of the cells was in detached form, with thick, but short fimbriae. These free cells were permanently hydrophilic, unlike the cells of other Acinetobacter strains.

Effects of certain heavy metals on the growth, dye decolorization, and enzyme activity of Lentinula edodes.

Various physiological parameters of Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) in the presence of nine heavy metal salts were investigated. The mycelial growth was highly sensitive to cadmium and mercury, but less sensitive to zinc, copper, and lead. This resistance can be particularly dangerous to humans in the case of edible fungi such as Shiitake because of the possible heavy metal accumulation during growth and fruiting body production. All of the tested heavy metals inhibited decolorization of the dye Poly R-478 and the production of manganese peroxidase to a greater extent than they inhibited growth. Interestingly, with the exception of iron, the addition of all heavy metal salts investigated led to the increase of laccase production. Apart from cadmium and iron, none of the heavy metals inhibited the in vitro enzyme activities in concentrations up to 3mM. The results of this study indicated the applicability of L. edodes in biosorption technologies used in the removal of toxic metals from contaminated effluents and in bioremediation technologies designed to treat complex wastes contaminated with heavy metals in addition to other xenobiotics.