Phenotypic Variations of Oleispira antarctica RB-8(T) in Different Growth Conditions

The peculiar biotechnological applications of Oleispira spp. in the natural cleansing of oil-polluted marine systems stimulated the study of the phenotypic characteristics of the Oleispira antarctica RB-8(T) strain and modifications of these characteristics in relation to different growth conditions. Bacterial abundance, cell size and morphology variations (by image analysis) and hydrocarbon degradation (by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, GC-FID) were analysed in different cultures of O. antarctica RB-8(T). The effects of six different hydrocarbon mixtures (diesel, engine oil, naval oil waste, bilge water, jet fuel and oil) used as a single carbon source combined with two different growth temperatures (4° and 15 °C) were analysed (for 22 days). The data obtained showed that the mean cell volume decreased with increasing experimental temperature. Three morphological bacterial shapes were identified: spirals, rods and cocci. Morphological transition from spiral to rod and coccoid shapes in relation to the different substrates (oil mixtures) and/or growth temperatures was observed, except for one experimental condition (naval oil waste) in which spiral bacteria were mostly dominant. Phenotypic traits and physiological status of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria showed important modifications in relation to culture conditions. These findings suggest interesting potential for strain RB-8(T) for ecological and applicative purposes.