Abstract
Organic solvents with a log Pow(logarithm of its partition coefficient in n-octanol and water) between 1.5 and 4.0 are extremely toxic for microorganisms and other living cells because they partition preferentially in the cytoplasmic membrane, disorganizing its structure and impairing vital functions99. The toxicity of these compounds depends not only on the inherent toxicity of the solvent but also on the intrinsic tolerance of the bacterial species and strains. The level of organic solvent tolerance in Escherichia coli is variable among strains; that is, E. coli JA300 and MC1061 grow in the presence of n-hexane (log Pow 3.9) whereas E. coli MVl184 or DH1 do not1, 2, and it has been proved to be enhanced by mutations. Most Pseudomonas species are highly sensit ive to aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene (log Pow 2.5), styrene (log Pow 3.05) and p-xylene (log Pow3.2); however, independent laboratories have isolated Pseudomonas putida strains tolerant to these toxic compounds10, 37, 52, 80, 106.
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