Organophosphonate metabolism by a moderately halophilic bacterial isolate

A Gram-negative halophile isolated from soil beneath a road gritting salt p ile grew optimally at 10% (w/v) NaCl and was shown most likely to be Chromo halobacter marismortui or Pseudomonas beijerinckii on the basis of 16S rRNA analysis. The strain utilised phosphonoacetate, 2-aminoethyl-, 3-aminoprop yl-, 4-aminobutyl-, methyl- and ethyl-phosphonates as phosphorus sources fo r growth. Differences were observed in the growth rate on different phospho nates and the range of phosphonates utilised at elevated NaCl concentration s, possibly as a result of differentially-induced transport mechanisms. An assay of cell-free extracts of 2-aminoethyiphos-phonate (2AEP) grown cells showed no detectable 2AEP:pyruvate aminotransferase or phosphonoacetaldehyd e hydrolase activity. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Socie ties. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.