Biodegradation of variable-chain-length alkanes at low temperatures by a psychrotrophic Rhodococcus sp.

ABSTRACT: The psychorotrophic Rhodococcus sp. strain Q15 was examined for its ability to degrade individual n-alkanes and diesel fuel at low temperatures, and its alkane catabolic pathway was investigated by biochemical and genetic techniques. At 0 and 5 degrees C, Q15 mineralized the short-chain alkanes dodecane and hexadecane to a greater extent than that observed for the long-chain alkanes octacosane and dotriacontane. Q15 utilized a broad range of aliphatics (C10 to C21 alkanes, branched alkanes, and a substituted cyclohexane) present in diesel fuel at 5 degrees C. Mineralization of hexadecane at 5 degrees C was significantly greater in both hydrocarbon-contaminated and pristine soil microcosms seeded with Q15 cells than in uninoculated control soil microcosms. The detection of hexadecane and do

SUBMITTER: Whyte LG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC106429 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature