Biodegradation of alkyl derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons and cell surface properties of a strain of Pseudomonas stutzeri

► Long-term contact of bacterial strain with diesel oil changes strain's properties. ► Pseudomons stutzeri degrades aromatic hydrocarbons efficiently. ► The decrease of zeta potential is correlated with the hydrophobicity increase. ► Rhamnolipids modify surface properties but not the biodegradation rates of aromatics.