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Biochemistry of TBT-Degrading Marine Pseudomonads Isolated from Indian Coastal Waters

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Abstract

Tributyltin (TBT) is a very effective biocide and an active ingredient in antifouling paints. Screening along the Indian coast yielded 49 bacterial isolates capable of TBT assimilation. The screening was done based on the ability of bacteria to grow in mineral salt medium (MSM) containing TBT as the sole source of carbon. All the isolates produced exopolysaccharides (biosurfactants) in the medium which aid in emulsification and thus ease bioavailability of TBT. Five isolates were identified as potent TBT degraders (namely, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas mendocina, Pseudomonas putida, and Pseudomonas balearica) based on their biomass production in MSM containing TBT as the sole source of carbon. In addition to evaluating the potential of individual bacterial strains, the study also focused on using a consortium of bacteria to explore their synergistic effect when grown on TBT. Further tests like growth profile, rhamnolipid secretion profile, extracellular protein secretion profile, and detection of siderophores were performed on these isolates when grown in MSM supplemented with 2 mM TBT concentration. Emulsification activity of the crude extracellular polysaccharides against kerosene was evaluated. It can be therefore inferred that TBT degradation by these marine pseudomonads is a two-step process: (a) dispersion of TBT in the aqueous phase and (b) tin–carbon bond cleavage by siderophores affecting debutylation of TBT. The consortium of bacteria may be effective in the treatment of TBT-contaminated waste water in dry docks.

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Acknowledgments

This work was carried out as part of the project titled “Assessing impacts of TBT on multiple coastal uses (TBTIMPACTS)” funded by European Commission. We are grateful to Dr. Shanta Achutankutty (National Institute of Oceanography, Kochi) for identification of bacterial cultures.

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  1. Ramya Sampath

    Present address: Ocean Management Anna University, Chennai, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Velachery-Tambaram Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai, 600100, India

    Ramya Sampath, Harish Venkatakrishnan, Vijaya Ravichandran & Rajat Roy Chaudhury

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  1. Ramya Sampath
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  2. Harish Venkatakrishnan
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  3. Vijaya Ravichandran
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  4. Rajat Roy Chaudhury
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Correspondence to Ramya Sampath.

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Sampath, R., Venkatakrishnan, H., Ravichandran, V. et al. Biochemistry of TBT-Degrading Marine Pseudomonads Isolated from Indian Coastal Waters. Water Air Soil Pollut 223, 99–106 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-011-0842-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-011-0842-5

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