Effect of environmental toxicants on enzyme biosynthesis: a comparison of beta-galactosidase, alpha-glucosidase and tryptophanase.

Except for beta-galactosidase, little is known about the effect of environmental toxicants on enzyme induction. The information could be potentially useful for the development of low-cost and rapid ecotoxicity assays. The effect of toxicants on the de novo biosynthesis of three inducible enzymes, beta-galactosidase and tryptophanase in E. coli and alpha-glucosidase in B. subtilis was investigated. Biosynthesis of alpha-glucosidase was the most sensitive to environmental toxicants, particularly pentachlorophenol and sodium dodecyl sulfate. The sensitivity of B. subtilis to toxicants was further increased when Tween 80 was incorporated in the growth medium.