Effects of glucose concentrations on cadmium, copper, mercury, and zinc toxicity to a Klebsiella sp

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6728105

Brynhildsen, L; Lundgren, B V; Allard, B; Rosswall, T

The influence of glucose concentration on Cd, CU, Hg, and Zn toxicity to a Klebsiella sp. was studied by following the degradation of /sup 14/C-labeled glucose at pH 6.0. Uptake of /sup 14/C into the cells was also determined. The carbon concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 40 mg liter/sup -1/, which are equivalent to soluble C concentrations in natural environments. The toxicity of Cu, Cd, and Zn to a Klebsiella sp. was affected considerably by the C concentration. Copper at 10/sup -5/ M was toxic when the carbon concentration was 10 or 40 mg liter/sup -1/, while at 0.01 to 1.0 mg liter/sup -1/ no toxicity was observed. Cadmium and zinc were toxic at 10/sup -2/ M in media containing 0.01 to 1.0 mg of C liter/sup -1/. At C concentrations greater than 1.0 mg liter/sup -1/, the inhibition of glucose degradation and carbon assimilation was observed at 10/sup -3/ M Cd and Zn. The toxicity of mercury seemed to be independent of the C concentration. Results of this study showed that the nutritional state of an organism may have a profound effect on its sensitivity to metals. Metals taken up by energy-driven transport system may be less toxic under conditions of C starvation. The C concentration should be taken into account when evaluating results from toxicity studies, especially as most microorganisms in nature live under energy-limited conditions.

• Research Organization: Linkoeping Univ. (Sweden)
• OSTI ID: 6728105
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 54:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CADMIUM
TOXICITY
COPPER
GLUCOSE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
KLEBSIELLA
SENSITIVITY
MERCURY
ZINC
NUTRITION
ALDEHYDES
BACTERIA
CARBOHYDRATES
ELEMENTS
HEXOSES
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
MONOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SACCHARIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology