Mechanism of A. oleivorans S4 treating soluble phosphorus deficiency and hydrocarbon contamination simultaneously.

ABSTRACT

Both soluble phosphorus (P) deficiency and petroleum hydrocarbon contamination represent challenges in soil environments. While phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria have been identified and employed in environmental bioremediation, the bacteria co-adapted to soluble P deficiency and hydrocarbon contamination has rarely been reported. This study explored the ability of Acinetobacter oleivorans S4 (A. oleivorans S4) to solubilize phosphate using n-hexadecane (H), glucose (G), and a mixed carbon source (HG) in tricalcium phosphate (TCP) medium. A. oleivorans S4 exhibited robust growth in H-TCP, releasing 31 mg L-1 of soluble P. Conversely, A. oleivorans S4 barely grew in G-TCP, releasing 654 mg L-1 of soluble P. In HG-TCP, biomass surpassed that in H-TCP, with phosphate release comparable to that in G-TCP. HPLC analysis revealed a small amount of TCA cycle acids in H-TCP and a large amount of gluconate in G-TCP and HG-TCP. Transcriptomic analysis showed elevated expression of genes associated with alkane degradation, P starvation, N utilization, and trehalose synthesis in H-TCP, revealing the molecular co-adaptation mechanism of A. oleivorans S4. Furthermore, the addition of glucose enhanced alkane degradation, P and N utilization, and reduced trehalose synthesis. It indicated that incomplete glucose metabolism may provide energy for other reactions, and the increase in soluble P mediated by gluconate may alleviate oxidative stress. Overall, A. oleivorans S4 proves promising for remediating soluble P-deficient and hydrocarbon-contaminated environments, and glucose stimulates its transformation into a super phosphate-solubilizing bacterium.