| The capacity of an environmental strain of Mycobacterium fortuitum to degrade petroleum alkanes was examined. Under specific conditions, the strain was able to degrade cholestane, catalytically-derived isomers of cholestane, and hopanes. Cell surface hydrophobicity was measured by an indirect non-ionic detergent binding method. Skatchard plots were observed that displayed positive cooperativity for cells grown on trypticase soy broth and negative cooperativity for cells grown on alkanes. Cellular ultrastructure was studied with electron microscopy. Numerous hydrocarbon inclusion bodies were observed within cells grown on pristane, hexadecane, and tetradecane but not in cells grown on octadecane or trypticase soy broth. The mycolic acids from cultures grown on C... |
