ABSTRACT
Parameters of degradation of p-toluenesulfonate (TS) by free and agar-embedded Comamonas testosteroni BS1310 (pBS1010) cells were determined. The maximum rate of TS degradation was 25% lower in by immobilized than free cells, equaling 11 nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) cells. Degradation of TS by both free and immobilized cells was associated with molecular oxygen consumption (molar ratio, 1 : 2). In a plug-flow reactor, the degradation rate was 10.4 nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) cells. The results can be applied to designing reactors for TS degradation in sewage and developing biosensors.
Subject(s)
Benzenesulfonates/metabolism , Comamonas testosteroni/metabolism , Agar , Biodegradation, Environmental , Bioreactors , Cells, Immobilized/metabolism , Oxygen ConsumptionABSTRACT
Nine Gram-negative bacterial strains, selected from 300 strains isolated from soils of the West Siberian petroliferous basin and growing on oil and oil products, consume phenol as a single carbon and energy source. The strains were used for the development of a sensor bioreceptor. The most active 32-I strain was shown to bear a plasmid responsible for phenol degradation. The plasmid-free derivative of this strain, 32-I-1, did not grow on phenol. The possibility of creating a model biosensor for phenol based on the plasmid-containing 32-I strain is considered. The detection limit for phenol was 5 microM. The optimum conditions for the sensor operation are: pH 7.4, 35 degrees C, and operation time 30 h.
