Degradation of tetradecyltrimethylammonium by Pseudomonas putida A ATCC 12633 restricted by accumulation of trimethylamine is alleviated by addition of Al3+ ions

LIFFOURRENA, AS; LÓPEZ, FG; DOMENECH, CE; LUCCHESI, GI

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2008 p. 396 - 402

1364-5072

Aims: To establish if tetradecyltrimethylammonium (TDTMA) might bedegraded by pure culture of Pseudomonas strains, and how the presence of aLewis’ acid in the medium influences its biodegradability.Methods and Results: From different strains of Pseudomonas screened, onlyPseudomonas putida A ATCC 12633 grows with 50 mg l)1 of TDTMA as thesole carbon and nitrogen source. A monooxygenase activity catalyzed the initialstep of the biodegradation. The trimethylamine (TMA) produced was used asnitrogen source or accumulated inside the cell. To decrease the intracellularTMA, the culture was divided, and 0Æ1 mmol l)1 AlCl3 added. In this way, thegrowth and TDTMA consumption increased. The internal concentration ofTMA, determined using the fluorochrome Morin, decreased by the formationof Al3+ : TMA complex.Conclusions: Pseudomonas putida utilized TDTMA as its sole carbon and nitrogensource. The TMA produced in the initial step of the biodegradation by amonooxygenase activity was used as nitrogen source or accumulated inside thecell, affecting the bacterial growth. This effect was alleviated by the addition ofAlCl3.Significance and Impact of the Study: The use of Lewis’ acids to sequesterintracellular amines offers an alternative to achieve an efficient utilization ofTDTMA by Ps. putida.