Biodegradation of n-hexadecane by Aspergillus sp. RFC-1 and its mechanism

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Adnan B Al-HawashFuying Ma

Abstract

Fungi can use n-hexadecane (HXD) as a sole carbon source. But the mechanism of HXD degradation remains unclear. This work mainly aimed to study the degradation of HXD by Aspergillus sp. RFC-1 obtained from oil-contaminated soil. The HXD content, medium acidification and presence of hexadecanoic acid in the medium were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and fungal growth was observed. Enzyme and gene expression assays suggested the involvement of an alkane hydroxylase, an alcohol dehydrogenase, and a P450 enzyme system in HXD degradation. A biosurfactant produced by the strain RFC-1 was also characterized. During 10 days of incubation, 86.3% of HXD was degraded by RFC-1. The highest activities of alkane hydroxylase (125.4 µmol mg-1 protein) and alcohol dehydrogenase (12.5 µmol mg-1 proteins) were recorded. The expression level of cytochrome P450 gene associated with oxidation was induced (from 0.94-fold to 5.45-fold) under the HXD condition by Real-time PCR analysis. In addition, HXD accumulated in inclusion bodies of RFC-1with the maximum of 5.1 g L-1. Results of blood agar plate and thin-layer chromatography analysis showed RFC-1 released high lipid and emulsification activity in the fungal culture. Induced ce...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 18, 2020·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology·Qianwei LiGeoffrey Michael Gadd
Nov 5, 2019·Marine Environmental Research·Patricia VelezMeritxell Riquelme
Jun 17, 2021·Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering·André Felipe da SilvaDiogo Robl
Jul 3, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Weina KongShiwei Wang
Jul 5, 2021·Journal of Applied Microbiology·Andrew R CowanSuzy C Moody
Aug 27, 2021·PloS One·Abeer R M Abd El-AzizShereen M Shehata

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