Abstract
This research is part of the BACSIN project, which stands for Bacterial Abiotic Cellular Stress and Survival Improvement Network. BACSIN is a large collaborative project within the 7th framework program (EU). The aim of the project is to improve rational exploitation of the catabolic properties of bacteria for the treatment and prevention of environmental pollution. At the NIOO, we investigate the stress response and catabolic activity of bacteria on plant leaf surfaces (the phyllosphere). The phyllosphere is an environment that evokes high levels of stress related to rapid changes in humidity, temperature and radiation. Therefore, natural microbial colonisers of the phyllosphere are expected to be well adapted to stress conditions. Organic pollutants can accumulate on plant leaves via air particulate deposition or volatile lipophillic compounds can accumulate in the waxy cuticle layer. Phyllosphere-based bacterial degradation has been reported for phenol, phenanthrene and toluene. This concept of phylloremediation in combination with the high stress resistance of bacterial leaf colonisers is explored in the context of BACSIN.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 2010 |