Drag reduction by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus BD4.

N Sar; E Rosenberg

doi:10.1128/aem.53.9.2269-2270.1987

Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 3674875

Drag reduction by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus BD4.

N Sar·E Rosenberg

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The encapsulated bacterium Acinetobacter calcoaceticus BD4 at a density of 3.6 X 10(9) cells per ml reduced the friction of turbulent water in a narrow pipe by 55%. This drag reduction was due to the tightly bound polysaccharide capsules (0.4 mg per ml) of culture. Capsule-deficient mutants of BD4 failed to reduce drag. The cell-bound polysaccharide demonstrated a threefold-higher drag-reducing activity than the polymer which was free in solution.

Explore related subjects

Acinetobacter Polysaccharides, Bacterial Journal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

N Sar, E Rosenberg. 1987. Drag reduction by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus BD4.. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.53.9.2269-2270.1987

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2026

Characterization of carbon metabolism in a highly adhesive bacterium Acinetobacter sp. Tol 5 capable of assimilating diverse hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds.

Sustainable bioproduction requires developing robust microbial chassis with broad metabolic versatility and suitability for industrial applications. Acinetobacter sp. Tol 5 is a highly adhesive bacterium capable of utilizing various hydrocarbons, making it a promising chassis candidate for immobilized whole-cell catalysis. In this study, we characterized the carbon metabolism of Tol 5 by reconstructing metabolic pathway maps from its genomic data and analyzing the transcriptomes of cells grown on ethanol, hexadecane, toluene, and phenol. Genomic analysis revealed that Tol 5 has limited capacity for sugar utilization but possesses a wide range of metabolic pathways for alkane and aromatic compounds, including five distinct aromatic degradation routes that expand the known metabolic diversity of the genus Acinetobacter. Transcriptome analysis identified the specific pathway genes induced in response to each carbon source. During growth on phenol, alkylbenzene degradation genes were upregulated alongside phenol monooxygenase genes, suggesting possible substrate-dependent cross-regulation between aromatic degradation pathways. Gene disruption experiments indicated that phenol monooxygenase is required for phenol assimilation, whereas toluene dioxygenase may contribute to earlier entry into exponential growth while potentially limiting final biomass accumulation. These findings provide a comprehensive view of the carbon metabolism of Tol 5 and a basis for assessing its potential in bioprocesses using non-sugar carbon sources.

Acinetobacter↗

PubMed2026

Acinetobacter guillouiae, a lipolytic strain isolated from sludge capable of partially depolymerising polyethylene terephthalate: genomic, proteomic, and biochemical insights.

Acinetobacter guillouiae I-MWF was isolated by incubating amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film in sludge samples. The strain partially depolymerised PET powder with 11.3% crystallinity, as confirmed by FT-IR, HPLC-UV, and LC-MS analyses. Extracellular enzymes released terephthalic acid (TPA), mono(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET), and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). Genomic analysis identified 18 putative extracellular hydrolases, including lipases and esterases, each with a conserved catalytic triad. Proteomic profiling revealed expression of two triacylglycerol lipases and two additional lipase-family proteins when the strain was cultivated with PET or a PET-Tween 80 mixture. These enzymes were cloned in Escherichia coli, but most formed insoluble, inactive inclusion bodies, and one was not expressed. Molecular modelling highlighted structural features likely to influence their catalytic interaction with PET. Although the strain partially depolymerised PET powder, it was unable to grow on PET, TPA, or ethylene glycol, indicating that PET depolymerisation occurs as a side activity rather than supporting growth. Instead, A. guillouiae displayed strong lipolytic activity and a clear preference for lipid-based substrates, achieving its highest growth with Tween 80. A lipid transporter was also expressed under these conditions, suggesting adaptation to hydrocarbon-rich environments. These findings indicate that A. guillouiae I-MWF can mediate partial PET depolymerisation without assimilating the resulting monomers, while preferentially growing on lipid-like substrates.

Acinetobacter↗

PubMed2026

Complete genome sequence of Acinetobacter bacterium strain BZX-2 isolated from hybrid sturgeon.

We report the complete genome sequence of Acinetobacter sp. strain BZX-2, isolated from a hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × Acipenser schrenckii ♂). The genome consists of a 3,819,278-bp chromosome with 3,566 predicted protein-coding genes. The genomic characteristics and antibiotic resistance genes identified provide a basis for the prevention and control of sturgeon diseases.

Acinetobacter↗