Evaluation of efficiencies of biological propylene oxidation in the presence of metals

Abstract

The effect of metal ions (iron, nickel, zinc) in concentration range (1÷60)×10−5 M on biological propylene oxidation by bacteria Methylococcus capsulatus (M) was evaluated. The influence of metal varied from activation to inhibition. It was found that at low concentrations (up to (1÷10) ×10−5 M) iron ions stimulate the biological propylene oxidation, while nickel and zinc ions have no that effect. When the metal concentration increases to 60×10−5 M, it leads to inhibition of propylene oxidation by both nickel and zinc ions, but the inhibition by iron was not observed. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for the studied metals were determined.