design: P. apiculatus cells were exposed to different temperature conditions, including normal (20C), cold shock (4C for 6 h and 16C for 6 and 24 h), and thermal shock (24C for 6 and 24 h and 37C for 30 min). In addition, cells were exposed to diverse toxic contaminants (CdSO4 1.0 mg L-1, NaAsO 1.0 mg L-1, and triclosan 1.0 mg L-1), for 6 and 24 h and at different growth stages