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  • © 2017

Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols

Activities and Phenotypes

  • Offers readily-reproducible step-by-step laboratory methods
  • Provides helpful tips and tricks supporting the protocols
  • Includes troubleshooting advice
  • Contains practical laboratory guidance to promote successful results

Part of the book series: Springer Protocols Handbooks (SPH)

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Table of contents (15 protocols)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. Protocols for the Measurement of Bacterial Chemotaxis to Hydrocarbons

    • Jayna L. Ditty, Rebecca E. Parales
    Pages 7-42
  3. Protocol for the Measurement of Hydrocarbon Transport in Bacteria

    • Jayna L. Ditty, Nancy N. Nichols, Rebecca E. Parales
    Pages 55-67
  4. Bacterial Solvent Responses and Tolerance: Cis–Trans Isomerization

    • Hermann J. Heipieper, Nancy Hachicho
    Pages 111-118
  5. Protocols for Measuring Biosurfactant Production in Microbial Cultures

    • Roger Marchant, Ibrahim M. Banat
    Pages 119-128
  6. Analysis of PHB Metabolism Applying Tn5 Mutagenesis in Ralstonia eutropha

    • Matthias Raberg, Daniel Heinrich, Alexander Steinbüchel
    Pages 129-148
  7. Phenotyping Microarrays for the Characterization of Environmental Microorganisms

    • Etienne Low-Décarie, Andrea Lofano, Pedram Samani
    Pages 167-181
  8. Protocols for Measuring Methanogenesis

    • Oleg Kotsyurbenko, Mikhail Glagolev
    Pages 227-244

About this book

This Volume features protocols for investigating the hydrocarbon- and lipid-specific activities of microbes. They include methods for studying chemotaxis, the colonisation of hydrocarbon surfaces, hydrocarbon uptake, respiration, nitrogen fixation, sulphate reduction, membrane stabilisation through cis-trans isomerisation of membrane fatty acids, and the production of biosurfactants and biopolymers in response to the presence of hydrocarbons. A protocol for studying the ability of microbes to control the concentration of hydrocarbons in their aqueous environment is also described, and phenotyping methods to reveal microbes’ more general metabolic activities are presented. Several protocols for investigating acid production in connection with oil souring and biocorrosion by microbes in oil well, oil transportation and storage settings are presented. Lastly, protocols for measuring methanogenesis, as an example of microbial hydrocarbon production, are described.<

Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols
There are tens of thousands of structurally different hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon derivatives and lipids, and a wide array of these molecules are required for cells to function. The global hydrocarbon cycle, which is largely driven by microorganisms, has a major impact on our environment and climate. Microbes are responsible for cleaning up the environmental pollution caused by the exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs and will also be pivotal in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by providing biofuels, plastics and industrial chemicals. Gaining an understanding of the relevant functions of the wide range of microbes that produce, consume and modify hydrocarbons and related compounds will be key to responding to these challenges. This comprehensive collection of current and emerging protocols will facilitate acquisition of this understanding and exploitation of useful activities of such microbes.


Editors and Affiliations

  • School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom

    Terry J. McGenity

  • Institute of Microbiology, Technical University Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany

    Kenneth N. Timmis

  • Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands and Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, UIB-CSIC), Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    Balbina Nogales

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols

  • Book Subtitle: Activities and Phenotypes

  • Editors: Terry J. McGenity, Kenneth N. Timmis, Balbina Nogales

  • Series Title: Springer Protocols Handbooks

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-49140-9

  • Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2017

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-662-49138-6Published: 25 November 2016

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-662-56985-6Published: 05 July 2018

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-662-49140-9Published: 14 November 2016

  • Series ISSN: 1949-2448

  • Series E-ISSN: 1949-2456

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: X, 244

  • Number of Illustrations: 20 b/w illustrations, 20 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Microbiology, Biochemical Engineering

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access