Use of genetically engineered multi-plasmid microorganisms for rapid degradation of fuel hydrocarbons (Reprinted)

In Pseudomonas, the genes specifying enzymes governing the biodegradation o f a variety of hydrocarbons arc clustered together and are borne on transmi ssible or nontransmissible plasmids. The transfer of such hydrocarbon degra dative plasmids from a number of individual Pseudomonas species to a single culture produces a multi-plasmid strain which can oxidize a variety of hyd rocarbons including aliphatic, aromatic, terpenic, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. In the presence of suitable inducers, all these plasmid-spec ified pathways are induced and the hydrocarbon substrates oxidized simultan eously. The multi-plasmid strain is shown to grow much faster with crude oi l than any of the individual parents, and may, therefore, be suitable for u se in oil spill clean up or in the production of protein from petroleum.