This Volume provides protocols for the biochemical analysis of hydrocarbon- and lipid-relevant
products cell components and activities of microbes that interact with hydrophobic compounds.
They include methods for the extraction purification and characterisation of surface
tension-reducing bioemulsifiers and biosurfactants that increase the surface area and hence
bioavailability of hydrophobic substrates. Protocols for the isolation and biochemical analysis
of lipids and polyhydroxyalkanoates food storage products made during nutrient abundance that
represent important biotechnological products are presented. The extraction of membrane lipid
rafts sub-organelles that fulfil important functional roles for the cell membrane and the
isolation and characterisation of membrane phospholipid biomarkers are also described. The
purification and characterisation of integral membrane hydrocarbon-oxidising enzymes are
addressed. Lastly two generic methods for the genetic analysis of catabolic pathways and
analysis of ligand binding are presented.Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ProtocolsThere 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.
