The utilization of Bombay High crude oil by Acinetobacter sp. A3 was not accompanied by the production of any surface active agents. Uptake of crude oil was therefore thought to be mediated by direct cell-oil interaction as the cell surface was hydrophobic in nature. SDS-PAGE of the outer membrane proteins of Acinetobacter sp. A3 grown on crude oil as sole source of carbon showed induction of two proteins/polypeptides of approximate molecular mass of 26.5 kDa and 56 kDa.