The marine bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis feeds on oil, multiplying rapidly in the wake of oil spills and thereby accelerating the elimination of the pollution, in many cases. It does this by producing an “organic dishwashing liquid,” which it uses to attach itself to oil droplets.
Researchers in Germany have discovered the mechanism by which this organic liquid is synthesized. Published in Nature Chemical Biology, the research findings, “Biosurfactant biosynthesis by Alcanivorax borkumensis and its role in oil biodegradation” could allow the breeding of more efficient strains of oil-degrading bacteria, according to the scientists.
![The red-marked bacteria with the gene cluster switched off were no longer able to synthesize the detergent. The bacteria were then unable to attach to the surface of oil droplets (left) the way they usually do (right). [Dr. Dörmann’s working group/University of Bonn]](https://www.genengnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GglsAH-WTH-2-1.jpg "The red-marked bacteria with the gene cluster switched off were no longer able to synthesize the detergent. The bacteria were then unable to attach to the surface of oil droplets (left) the way they usually do (right). [Dr. Dörmann’s working group/University of Bonn]")
The red-marked bacteria with the gene cluster switched off were no longer able to synthesize the detergent. The bacteria were then unable to attach to the surface of oil droplets (left) the way they usually do (right). [Dr. Dörmann’s working group/University of Bonn]
Loosely translated into English, the Latin name of the bacterium is “alkane eaters from Borkum” as alkanes are chains of hydrocarbons that exist in petroleum in large quantities. A. borkumensis feeds on energy-rich chains which occur naturally in the sea—and on non-naturally-occurring chains like those dispersed in oil spills. In many cases the bacteria multiply rapidly, thereby accelerating the pollution-clearing process.
Because oil and water don’t mix, in order to eat its favorite food, the A. borkumensis requires a chemical aid. It makes it for itself, producing a kind of natural dishwashing liquid. This “detergent” is a compound consisting of the amino acid glycine and a sugar-fatty acid compound.
“The molecules have a water-soluble part and a fat-soluble part,” explains Peter Dörmann, PhD, who is a biochemist at the University of Bonn’s IMBIO institute (Institute of Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants). “The bacteria settle on the surface of the oil droplets, where they form a biofilm.”
The mechanism by which the alkane eater synthesizes this detergent was not understood until a working group led by Karl-Erich Jaeger, PhD, of Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, studied the bacterium’s genome.
“In our research we identified a gene cluster which we believed could play a role in production of the molecule,” says Jaeger. In fact, when the genes of this cluster were switched off, the bacteria were impaired in their ability to attach to oil droplets. “As a result they absorbed less oil, and grew much more slowly,” adds Lars Blank, PhD, of RWTH Aachen University.
One of Dörmann’s doctoral students, Jiaxin Cui, succeeded in elaborating the synthetic pathway by which A. borkumensis produces the detergent. Three enzymes are involved in this process, in which the molecule is assembled step by step. The three genes contain the instructions for building these biocatalysts, without which the bonding process cannot efficiently proceed.
“We successfully transferred the genes involved to a different bacterium, which then produced the detergent as well,” Cui explains.
Bacteria like A. borkumensis are important for degrading oil pollution, so these findings are of significant interest, possibly leading to the development of new, more effective strains.
“This natural detergent could have biotech applications as well, such as for microbial production of key chemical compounds from hydrocarbons,” points out Dörmann, who is a member of the University of Bonn Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) “Sustainable Futures.”
The post How Bacteria Synthesize an “Organic Dishwashing Liquid” to Degrade Oil appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
Researchers in Germany have discovered the mechanism by which this organic liquid is synthesized. Published in Nature Chemical Biology, the research findings, “Biosurfactant biosynthesis by Alcanivorax borkumensis and its role in oil biodegradation” could allow the breeding of more efficient strains of oil-degrading bacteria, according to the scientists.
The red-marked bacteria with the gene cluster switched off were no longer able to synthesize the detergent. The bacteria were then unable to attach to the surface of oil droplets (left) the way they usually do (right). [Dr. Dörmann’s working group/University of Bonn]
Loosely translated into English, the Latin name of the bacterium is “alkane eaters from Borkum” as alkanes are chains of hydrocarbons that exist in petroleum in large quantities. A. borkumensis feeds on energy-rich chains which occur naturally in the sea—and on non-naturally-occurring chains like those dispersed in oil spills. In many cases the bacteria multiply rapidly, thereby accelerating the pollution-clearing process.
Oil and water don’t mix
Because oil and water don’t mix, in order to eat its favorite food, the A. borkumensis requires a chemical aid. It makes it for itself, producing a kind of natural dishwashing liquid. This “detergent” is a compound consisting of the amino acid glycine and a sugar-fatty acid compound.
“The molecules have a water-soluble part and a fat-soluble part,” explains Peter Dörmann, PhD, who is a biochemist at the University of Bonn’s IMBIO institute (Institute of Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants). “The bacteria settle on the surface of the oil droplets, where they form a biofilm.”
The mechanism by which the alkane eater synthesizes this detergent was not understood until a working group led by Karl-Erich Jaeger, PhD, of Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, studied the bacterium’s genome.
“In our research we identified a gene cluster which we believed could play a role in production of the molecule,” says Jaeger. In fact, when the genes of this cluster were switched off, the bacteria were impaired in their ability to attach to oil droplets. “As a result they absorbed less oil, and grew much more slowly,” adds Lars Blank, PhD, of RWTH Aachen University.
Potential biotech applications
One of Dörmann’s doctoral students, Jiaxin Cui, succeeded in elaborating the synthetic pathway by which A. borkumensis produces the detergent. Three enzymes are involved in this process, in which the molecule is assembled step by step. The three genes contain the instructions for building these biocatalysts, without which the bonding process cannot efficiently proceed.
“We successfully transferred the genes involved to a different bacterium, which then produced the detergent as well,” Cui explains.
Bacteria like A. borkumensis are important for degrading oil pollution, so these findings are of significant interest, possibly leading to the development of new, more effective strains.
“This natural detergent could have biotech applications as well, such as for microbial production of key chemical compounds from hydrocarbons,” points out Dörmann, who is a member of the University of Bonn Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) “Sustainable Futures.”
The post How Bacteria Synthesize an “Organic Dishwashing Liquid” to Degrade Oil appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.