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Comparative metabolomic studies of Alkanivorax xenomutans showing differential power output in a three chambered microbial fuel cell

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Abstract

Metabolomic study of electrogenic bacteria is a necessity to understand the extent of complex organic matter degradation and to invent new co-culture techniques to achieve complete degradation. In this study, we have subjected Alkanivorax xenomutans (KCTC 23751T; NBRC 108843T), a bacterium capable for biodegradation of complex hydrocarbons, to oxic and anoxic conditions in a three chambered microbial fuel cell. In an attempt to understand the molecular mechanisms during the electrogenic processes of A. xenomutans, intra cellular (endo metabolome or the fingerprint) and exo metabolome (extracellular metabolome or the foot print) were analyzed under oxic and anoxic conditions, using FTIR and GC–MS. Interpretation of the data revealed higher number of metabolites in the anoxic fraction as compared to oxic fraction. In addition, expression of putative metabolites that influence electron transfer like flavins, fumarate and quinones were found to be predominant in the organisms when grown in anoxic conditions. Hence, the presence of anoxic conditions governed the electrogenic bacteria to produce enhanced power output by modulating differential metabolomic profiling, compared to the culture grown in oxic conditions.

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Acknowledgements

This work is financially supported by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi under Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme [Grant No. F.4-2/2006 (BSR)/BL/13-14/0283]. We acknowledge Dr. K. Rahul and Mrs. M. Azmatunnisa Begum for providing the pure cultures of Alkanivorax xenomutans. We acknowledge Dr. Rasika Samarasinghe for proof reading the manuscript and her valuable inputs during the course of revision. We also thank Mr. Devender and Dr. E.V.V. Ramprasad for their help with GC–MS analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, P.O Central University, Hyderabad, 500 046, India

    Ganesh Mahidhara & Venkata Ramana Ch.

  2. Bacterial Discovery Laboratory, Centre for Environment, Institute of Science and Technology, J.N.T. University Hyderabad, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, 500 085, India

    Sasikala Ch.

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  1. Ganesh Mahidhara
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  2. Sasikala Ch.
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  3. Venkata Ramana Ch.
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Correspondence to Venkata Ramana Ch..

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Mahidhara, G., Ch., S. & Ch., V. Comparative metabolomic studies of Alkanivorax xenomutans showing differential power output in a three chambered microbial fuel cell. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 33, 102 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-017-2268-8

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