Effect of Different Carbon Sources on the Growth of Alpha-HCH Degrading Pseudomonas Ptm+ Strain

A bacterial isolate capable of degrading alpha-isomer of the insecticide HCH used this
chemical as the sole source of carbon and energy. Pseudomonas (Ptm' strain) produced 10
times more biomass when mannitol was the carbon source and 3 times more biomass with
glucose. Binary mixtures of mannitol nnd alpha·HCH showed simultaneous utilisation of
both the molecules. Pattern of proliferation on HCH and its structural analog inositol was
similar indicating the involvement of common enzyme systems in their breakdown. Utilisation
of alpha-HCH and yeast extract increased when both substrates were added together to the
medium, suggesting some co-factors contained in yeast extract accelerated alpha HCH
degradation in Ptm+ strain, resulting in better growth. Mannitol (11.1 mM) yeast extract
(0.25%) and HCH (68.8 uM) containing medium was suitable for the biomass production of
HCH degrading bacteria.