Characterization of an organic-solvent-tolerant Brevibacillus agri strain 13 able to stabilize solvent/water emulsion.
Brevibacillus agri strain 13 was isolated and characterized as a Gram-positive organic-solvent-tolerant bacterium able to grow at 45 degrees C. It can tolerate high concentrations (5% and 20%, v/v) of various organic solvents with a broad range of log P(ow) when the organic solvent was provided as a nonaqueous layer. Although it can tolerate a number of aromatic solvents, it cannot utilize them as a sole carbon source. The surface characteristics of cells exposed to organic solvent were investigated using the bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbon test, a contact angle measurement, zeta potential determination, and fluorescence microscopy analysis and compared with that of nonexposed cells. The results showed that although it has a hydrophilic cell surface, it has a unique indigenous cell surface characteristic in which the cells can stabilize solvent-in-water emulsion by adhering to the solvent-water interface of the solvent droplets. The tolerance and predilection of B. agri strain 13 toward organic solvents may suggest its potential application as a whole-cell biocatalyst for the biotransformation process of water-immiscible substrate(s).
Kongpol
Ajiraporn
A
Pongtharangkul
Thunyarat
T
Kato
Junichi
J
Honda
Kohsuke
K
Ohtake
Hisao
H
Vangnai
Alisa S
AS
D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D004655:Emulsions; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water