Capacity to oxidize n-alkane in EDTA-treated cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa S7B1.

Abstract

The oxidation capacity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa S7B1 was reduced by treatment with EDTA on the oxidation of insoluble substrates, such as long-chain n-alkanes. The reduced capacity to oxidize these substrates was restored to the level of the non-treated cells with a “protein-like activator, ” which was isolated from the culture broth of this strain, but the oxidizing capacity was not restored with other proteins. Moreover, the release of the “protein-like activator” from cells was observed by a treatment with EDTA. On the other hand, the capacity to oxidize “emulsified n-alkanes” which was prepared by sonication was maintained after treatment with EDTA. Accordingly, the decreased capacity to oxidize n-alkanes in EDTA-treated cells appears to be due to decreased capacity to oxidize larger droplets of n-alkanes.