Enzymes for Aerobic Degradation of Alkanes in Bacteria

Abstract

Alkanes are major constituents of crude oil but they are also present at low concentrations in diverse noncontaminated habitats since many living organisms produce them as chemoattractants or as agents that help to protect against water loss. Although the metabolism of these compounds poses problems (mainly to do with their hydrophobicity), many microorganisms can use them as a carbon and energy source. This chapter examines how bacteria metabolize n-alkanes aerobically, paying particular attention to the enzymes involved in the initial oxidation of the alkane molecule – the most critical step given that n-alkanes are chemically rather inert.