LIPIDS OF N-ALKANE-UTILIZING MICROORGANISMS AND THEIR APPLICATION POTENTIAL

This chapter describes the lipids of n-Alkane-utilizing microorganisms and their application potential. The chapter refers the potential commercial values of various lipid classes and fatty acids. In addition, reference is made to environmental considerations associated with the proposed application of microorganisms in controlling oil pollution and in enhanced oil recovery. That lipids of n-alkaline-utilizing microorganisms should be expected to differ from the lipids of the same organisms grown on conventional substrates is apparent from the following arguments. (1) n-Alkanes, being water insoluble, expectedly induce in cell membranes alterations that allow for their enhanced active transport. Such alterations may involve the membrane lipids which contribute to about 50% of the membrane weight.)2) Alkanes, themselves lipids, are taken up, chemically unchanged, and thus directly contribute to the total cell lipids. (3) Initial phases of n-alkane metabolism involve the oxidation of these substrates to fatty alcohols and fatty acids that become, in part, incorporated into complex cell lipid compounds. (4) Several n-alkane-utilizing microorganisms reveal cytological entities that are associated with their growth on n-alkanes as substrates. Thus, certain bacteria produce intracytoplasmic membranes, and yeasts produce peroxisomes. Like other biological membranes and organelles, these cytological entities are expected to be rich in lipids. © 1993, Academic Press, Inc. All rights reserved.