Isolation and characterization of the solvent-tolerant Bacillus cereus strain R1

Toluene-tolerant gram-positive bacteria were isolated and identified to belong to the genus Bacillus. They grew in a medium containing yeast extract and in the presence of a separate phase of toluene or other hydrocarbons, but not when aliphatic alcohols were present. The isolate Bacillus cereus R1 did not metabolise or transform toluene. Toluene accumulation in its cells was rapid, unless the organism was supplied with glucose as energy source. In bacteria adapted to toluene, the amount of toluene accumulating in cells was one-half that in nonadapted bacteria. Valinomycin (K+ ionophore) and o-vanadate (ATPase inhibitor) as inhibitors of energy metabolism partly counteracted the effect of glucose as energy source. These results suggest the presence of an efflux mechanism for toluene in strain R1. The nature of this mechanism and its function in a solvent-tolerant gram-positive strain are discussed.