Study of Tributyltin Adsorption by Marine Bacteria
Author Information
Author(s): Mimura Haruo, Sato Ryusei, Sasaki Yu, Furuyama Yuichi, Taniike Akira, Yoshida Kazutoshi, Kitamura Akira
Primary Institution: Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, Kobe University
Hypothesis
The adsorption of tributyltin (TBT) by Pseudoalteromonas sp. TBT1 is influenced by the cell surface characteristics rather than its structure.
Conclusion
The study found that the function of the cell surface is crucial for the adsorption of TBT, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 108.3 TBT molecules per cell.
Supporting Evidence
- The maximum number of TBT adsorbed by a single cell was experimentally determined to be 108.3.
- Lysozyme treatment reduced the amount of TBT adsorbed by the cells.
- Heat-treated and ethanol-treated cells showed similar TBT adsorption capacities as untreated cells.
Takeaway
Scientists studied a type of bacteria that can stick to a harmful chemical in the ocean. They found that how the bacteria's surface works is more important than its shape for sticking to this chemical.
Methodology
The study involved isolating a TBT-resistant marine bacterium and measuring the amount of TBT adsorbed by the cells under various conditions using accelerator analysis.
Limitations
The study did not explore the long-term effects of TBT adsorption on the bacteria or the ecological implications of using these bacteria for bioremediation.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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