African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (4), pp. 71-74, April 2003

ISSN 1684-5315  © 2003 Academic Journals

MINIREVIEW

Acinetobacter: environmental and biotechnological applications

Desouky Abdel-El-Haleem

Environmental Biotechnology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, Mubarak City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Burg-Elarab City, Alexandria, Egypt. Phone: (00203) 459-3421, fax: (00203) 459-3423, e-mail: abdelhaleemm@yahoo.de

Accepted 28 March 2003

Among microbial communities involved in different ecosystems such as soil, freshwater, wastewater and solid wastes, several strains belonging to the genus of Acinetobacter have been attracting growing interest from medical, environmental and a biotechnological point of view. Bacteria of this genus are known to be involved in biodegradation, leaching and removal of several organic and inorganic man-made hazardous wastes. It is also well known that some of Acinetobacter strains produce important bioproducts. This review summarizes the usefulness and environmental applications of Acinetobacter strains.

Key words: Acinetobacter, biodegradation, xenobiotic, oil, heavy metals, bioproducts, lipases, polysaccharides.