Differences of cell surface characteristics between the bacterium Pseudomonas veronii and fungus Ophiostoma stenoceras and their different adsorption properties to hydrophobic organic compounds

The first step of microbial biodegradation is the adsorption of pollutants on the microorganisms' surface, which is determined by the microorganism type and pollutant hydrophobicity. One fungus Ophiostoma stenoceras LLC and one bacterium Pseudomonas veronii ZW were chosen for the investigation of cell surface hydrophobicity and adsorption abilities to various organic compounds. Results showed that the fungus could better capture and adsorb organic compounds in liquid and gas phases, and the adsorption was a physical monolayer adsorption process. Much smaller partition coefficient for gas-fungus suggested that direct gaseous adsorption was preferred. The XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) characterization further confirmed that several functional groups changed after the adsorption of compounds. The time taken for complete degradation of hexane, tetrahydrofuran and chlorobenzene was shorter with the addition of O. stenoceras LLC. Such findings are useful in exploring the special cell surface of fungus in adsorption and bioenhancement for organic treatment of organic contaminants using bacteria.