Toxicity of phenanthrene dissolved in nonionic surfactant solutions to Pseudomonas putida P2.
The fraction in which direct contact occurs between micellar-phase phenanthrene and the bacterial cell surface was estimated by measuring the toxicity of nonionic surfactant (Tween 80 and Triton X-100) solutions to the phenanthrene-degrading bacterium, Pseudomonas putida P2. Cell viability of completely dissolved phenanthrene decreased by 30% at concentrations greater than 0.3 mg L(-1), which is equal to approximately one third of its solubility. Both nonionic surfactants had no effect on cell viability up to 5 g L(-1). Cell viability increased with increasing surfactant concentration at a fixed phenanthrene concentration, due to the decreased concentration of aqueous-pseudophase phenanthrene and the reduced fraction of direct contact. The fraction of direct contact was c. 20% or more below 3 g L(-1) of Triton X-100. The fraction of direct contact for Tween 80 was estimated to be lower than Triton X-100.
Jang
Soon A
SA
Department of Food and Nutrition, Chungnam National University, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Dae S
DS
Lee
Min W
MW
Woo
Seung H
SH
D008954:Models, Biological; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D016958:Pseudomonas putida / Q000187:drug effects*; D012995:Solubility; D012996:Solutions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
D010616:Phenanthrenes; D012996:Solutions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C031181:phenanthrene