title: Metabolic versatility of Gram-positive microbial isolates from contaminated river sediments.
abstract: Gram-positive bacteria from river sediments affected by the proximity of a petrochemical industrial site were isolated and characterized with respect to their ability to degrade a wide range of aromatic compounds. In this study we identified metabolically diverse Gram-positive bacteria capable of growth on wide range aromatic compounds in the presence of heavy metals and with the ability to accumulate biopolymers. Thirty-four isolates that were able to use 9 or more common aromatic pollutants, such as benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene etc. as a sole source of carbon and energy included members of Bacillus, Arthrobacter, Rhodococcus, Gordonia, Streptomyces, and Staphylococcus genus. Rhodococcus sp. TN105, Gordonia sp. TN103 and Arthrobacter sp. TN221 were identified as novel strains. Nine isolates were able to grow in the presence of one or more metals (mercury, cadmium, nickel) at high concentration (100mM). Seven isolates could degrade 15 different aromatic compounds and could grow in the presence of one or more heavy metals. Two of these isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics including erythromycin and nalidixic acid. One third of isolates could accumulate at least one biopolymer. Twelve isolates (mainly Bacillus sp. and Arthrobacter sp.) accumulated polyphosphate, 3 Bacillus sp. accumulated polyhydroxybutyrate, while 4 isolates could accumulate exopolysaccharides.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, P.O. Box 23, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Narancic
authors.forename: Lidija
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Djokic
authors.forename: Shane T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.forename: Kevin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Vanja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Radulovic
authors.forename: Jasmina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nikodinovic-Runic
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vasiljevic
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity; D010802:Phylogeny; D054813:Polyhydroxyalkanoates / Q000378:metabolism; D011122:Polyphosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D045483:Rivers / Q000382:microbiology*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D054813:Polyhydroxyalkanoates; D011122:Polyphosphates; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical