Effect of adaptation on hexane biodegradation by a rhodococcus strain capable of hydrocarbon utilization

Although organic solvents such as hexane have harmful effects on human health and natural environments, they are commonly used chemicals in several industrial fields. Bioremediation is an environmentally friendly and cost effective waste management technique for rehabilitation of polluted environments. A hydrocarbon-utilizing bacterial strain identified as a Rhodococcus sp. PAE1 was previously isolated from mazut. This new isolate was adapted to hexane in order to assess the effects of adaptation. The adapted strain exhibited a wide range of hexane tolerance and faster hexane biodegradation rate compared to the non-adapted strains. Adaptation to hexane combined with changes in cell membrane fatty acids resulted in increased cell surface hydrophobicity and elongation of cells that can promote the bioavailability of a water insoluble substrate