| Description | Pseudomonas stutzeri is a versatile microbe that thrives in a wide range of environments. It is categorized as a mesophilic microbe, preferring temperatures between 25°C to 40°C, making it adaptable to various ecological niches. Metabolically, P. stutzeri is a facultative chemoheterotroph, able to utilize organic carbon sources as its primary energy source, but also capable of aerobic respiration. This metabolic flexibility allows it to survive in a variety of environments, from soil and water to clinical settings. Its Gram staining pattern is negative, indicating the absence of a thick peptidoglycan layer in its cell walls. The bacterium's shape is typically rod-shaped, with some strains exhibiting curved or comma-shaped morphology. P. stutzeri can be found in all types of body sites, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts, as well as in soil, water, and plant surfaces. As an obligate aerobe, P. stutzeri requires the presence of oxygen to grow and thrive. In the absence of oxygen, it cannot survive. Its energy production is reliant on aerobic respiration, which involves the breakdown of glucose and other organic compounds to produce ATP. Despite its roles as a pathogen and a pollutant, P. stutzeri has also been used as a bioremediation agent, capable of degrading pollutants such as toluene, phenol, and trichloroethylene. Additionally, it has been engineered to produce recombinant proteins and biosurfactants, making it a valuable tool in biotechnology. Furthermore, P. stutzeri has been found to produce antibiotics, including the enzyme nitroreductase, which has been applied in cancer therapy. Its ability to produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has also been linked to the development of methods for detecting and monitoring microbial activity in the environment. |
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