Microbial oxidation of gaseous hydrocarbons: production of secondary alcohols from corresponding n-alkanes by methane-utilizing bacteria

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5324832

Patel, R N; Hou, C T; Laskin, A I; Felix, A; Derelanko, P

Over 20 new strains of methane-utilizing bacteria were isolated from lake water and soil samples. Cell suspensions of these and of other known strains of methane-utilizing bacteria oxidized n-alkanes to their corresponding secondary alcohols. The product secondary alcohols accumulated extracellularly. The rate of production of secondary alcohols varied with the organism used for oxidation. Secondary alcohols were slowly oxidized further to the corresponding methylketones. Primary alcohols and aldehydes were also detected in low amounts as products of n-alkane oxidation. However, primary alcohols and aldehydes were rapidly metabolized further by cell suspensions. The enzymatic system required for oxidation of n-alkanes was induced only during growth on methane. The optimal conditions for in vivo secondary alcohol formation from n-alkanes were investigated in Methylosinus sp. (CRL-15). The optimal temperature and pH for the production of 2-propanol and 2-butanol were 40/sup 0/C and pH 7.0. Both oxygen and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide were required for hydroxylation activity. The metal-chelating agents inhibited hydroxylation of n-alkanes by the particulate fraction, indicating the involvement of a metal-containing enzyme system in the oxidation of n-alkanes. The production of 2-propanol from the corresponding n-alkane by the particulate fraction was inhibited in the presence of methane, suggesting that the subterminal hydroxylation of n-alkanes may be catalyzed by methane monooxygenase.

• Research Organization: Exxon Research and Engineering Co., Linden, NJ
• OSTI ID: 5324832
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 39:4; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALCOHOLS
ALKANES
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHELATING AGENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
FLUIDS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
HYDROXYLATION
KINETICS
METHANE
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
PH VALUE
REACTION KINETICS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE