Survival and biodegradation activity of Gordonia polyisoprenivorans 135: Basics of a biosensor receptor

Abstract

The effects of stress factors (drying, low temperature, and long-term storage) on the survival of the actinobacteria Gordonia polyisoprenivorans 135, which is used as a biosensor receptor to detect sodium benzoate in water solutions, were studied, as well as the effects of these factors on the biodegradation of aromatic compounds. The cells remained viable after starvation and subsequent long-term storage in suspension. Immobilization of G. polyisoprenivorans 135 cells prevented the loss of the viability when they were dried prior to storage. The immobilized cells, which were used as a biosensor receptor element, were active in relation to benzoate for more than 9 months. Storage of the receptor at 4°C for four months led to a sensor response to 10^–4 and 10^–3 M benzoate at a level of 69 and 79% of the maximum, respectively, while the response was 58 and 51% (70 pA/s and 140 pAs), respectively, after 9 months of storage. These results suggest that actinobacterial cells can survive an adverse environment and can be used to create highly stable and sensitive bioreceptors.