ARSENIC METHYLATING MICROORGANISMS IN WATERS, HEALTH THREATING FEATURES AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

Abstract

The methylated form of arsenite is more toxic than inorganic arsenic, which can be seen as a risk factor in health, but it is also a new study topic for some new biotechnological applications. The isolated bacteria from Balçova Ilıca Creek were identified by phenotypic and genotypic methods and S-adenosylmethionine transferase, the arsenic methylating enzyme, was detected by polymerase chain reaction. From seven isolated bacteria, six of them were identified as Pseudomonas sp. and one of them was identified as Pannonibacter phragmitetus. Arsenic S-adenosylmethionine transferase gene (arsM) is detected in three of seven bacterial isolates.