Journal of Environmental Biology

Identification and characterization of bacteria isolated under selective pressure of volatile organic compounds

 

Marcello Civilini*

Food Science Department, Section of Environmental Microbiology, University of Udine, Via Sondrio 2 ? 33100 Udine ? Italy

(Received: May 14, 2008; Revised received: July 30, 2008; Accepted: October 10, 2008)

Abstract: Several bacterial strains tolerant to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were isolated from the air emissions of a typical industrial wood painting plant. Four strains that grew vigorously on a mineral salt basal medium and VOC-saturated atmosphere were identified using BIOLOG and fatty acids analysis. A 16S rDNA sequence comparison was also performed on three of the four strains. Their phylogenetic positions were respectively: MC8M6 of the genus Arthrobacter, MCEP3 of the genus Microbacterium, MCEPFL2 of the genus Rhodococcus. The fourth strain, C14, was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the four strains showed multiple carbon sources among toluene, butyl acetate, ethoxy propyl acetate, isobutyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, diaceton alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone. By identifying a particular strain, an evaluation of its risk group can be made by comparing it to each strain type within important world-wide culture collections. This is the first step required to implement correct procedures using the strains and in implementing the appropriate biosafety containment in? large scale applications.?

Key words: Bacteria, Volatile organic compounds, 16S rRNA, Fatty acids, BIOLOG, Biofiltration

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