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Isolation and initial characterization of bacteria growing on tetralin

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Abstract

Eight strains of bacteria utilizing tetralin as sole source of carbon and energy have been obtained. Four strains have been selected from culture collections. The others were isolated from hydrocarbon-polluted areas. The newly isolated strains belong to the genera Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter and Moraxella. Most of the selected strains were able to grow on other aromatic hydrocarbons, but none of them grew on cyclohexane. Tetralin-utilizing organisms were difficult to isolate and cultivate, because tetralin was toxic to the cells at concentrations above 15 μl/l. Consequently tetralin was supplied either via the vapour phase or an organic solvent/water two-phase system was employed.

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Abbreviations

FC 40:

fluorocompound 40

DBP:

dibutylphthalate

DEP:

diethylphthalate

DOP:

dioctylphthalate

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  1. Division of Industrial Microbiology, Department of Food Science, Agricultural University, P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Jan Sikkema & Jan A. M. de Bont

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  1. Jan Sikkema
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  2. Jan A. M. de Bont
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Sikkema, J., de Bont, J.A.M. Isolation and initial characterization of bacteria growing on tetralin. Biodegradation 2, 15–23 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00122421

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