Inhibition of Growth of a Graphium sp. on Gaseous n-Alkanes by Gaseous n-Alkynes and n-Alkenes.

The growth of a filamentous fungus, a Graphium sp., on n-alkanes (C(inf2) to C(inf4)) was inhibited by low concentrations of acetylene, propyne, 1-butyne, ethylene, and propylene. Acetylene and other unsaturated hydrocarbons had no effect on the growth of the Graphium sp. on potato dextrose broth, ethanol, or acetate. Our results suggest that n-alkynes and n-alkenes are selective inhibitors of a nonspecific monooxygenase enzyme responsible for the initial oxidation of n-alkanes.