Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Isolation, Propagation, and Identification of Bacterial Species with Hydrocarbon Metabolizing Properties from Aquatic Habitats
Published on: December 7, 2021
Toluene-degrading Antarctic Pseudomonas strains from fuel-contaminated soil
Roberta L Farrell1, Phillippa L Rhodes, Jackie Aislabie
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand. r.farrell@waikato.ac.nz
Abstract:
Two psychrotolerant toluene-degrading Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from JP8 jet-fuel-contaminated soils, Scott Base, Antarctica. Isolates metabolized meta-toluate as sole carbon source at temperatures ranging from 6 to 30 degrees C. Large plasmids (>64kb) were isolated from both isolates. Sequence analysis of PCR products amplified using xylB (the gene encoding benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase) primers revealed that isolates 7/167 and 8/46 were 100% and 92% homologous, respectively, to the xylB gene of the meta-cleavage toluene degradative pathway encoded by the TOL plasmid (pWWO) of Pseudomonas putida mt-2. Assays of cell-free extracts of 7/167 and 8/46 demonstrated activity of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase, and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase, indicating that the isolates use the meta-cleavage pathway enzymes of toluene degradation typical of TOL type plasmids. As both isolates are able to grow at 6 degrees C ex situ it is feasible that they would be able to metabolize toluene in the Antarctic soils from where they were originally isolated.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Bioremediation
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics
Green Algae
Microbial Wastewater Treatment

