Suitability of the trans/cis Ratio of Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Pseudomonas putida NCTC 10936 as an Indicator of the Acute Toxicity of Chemicals

摘要

This study explored the suitability of using the trans/cis ratio of unsaturated fatty acids as an indicator of the acute toxicity of membrane active hazardous chemicals. The conversion of cis into trans fatty acids in Pseudomonas putida NCTC 10936 in re- sponse to 4-chlorophenol and temperature changes was com- pared with the results from another kind of toxicity test using the same organism, based on the sensitivity of its xylose oxidation- driven ATP synthesis to uncoupling. The response of both indi- cators is believed to be largely due to changes in the fluidity of the cytoplasmic membrane.