[Study of the dynamics of the uptake and utilization of a hydrocarbon in Mycobacterium paraffinicum cells by means of IR-spectroscopy].

The dynamics of uptake and further utilization of hexadecane in different regions of the cells of Mycobacterium paraffinicum was studied using spectroscopy of Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) in the IR range during the whole period of their growth. The outer layers of the cells were found to be rapidly saturated during their growth on a medium containing hexadecane. Oxidation of the hydrocarbon resulted in accumulation of a large amount of triglycerides whose active biosynthesis started at the end of the logarithmic growth phase. The bulk of triglycerides concentrated in the cytoplasm. Later, the content of triglycerides decreased almost twofold, this suggesting assimilation of these compounds by the cell. After 13 days of cultivation, all parameters were stablized; therefore, the metabolic processes decelerated and the state of dormancy occurred. No degradation of the culture was observed.