OSMOREGULATION IN HYDROCARBON-OXIDIZING BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM OIL-FIELDS OF TATARSTAN

Changes in medium salinity were demonstrated to significantly influenc e specific growth rate, lag period duration, and growth yield of halot olerant (strains 367-6, 367-21, and BN) and halophilic bacteria (Rhodo coccus maris), isolated from oil fields in Tatarstan. Cells of all stu died bacteria accumulated glycine betaine, amino acids, and ions of Na + and K+. When the NaCl concentration in the medium was increased by s everal orders, the content of Ne ions associated with cells increased by 4 - 6 orders, while the K+; content increased only by a factor of 1 .5 - 2. The total content of amino acids increased 1.5 to 3 times unde r these conditions, with the major part played by glutamic acid and se rine. The leading osmoprotective role in the studied bacteria was show n to be played by glycine betaine.