The Microbial Degradation of Aromatic Petroleum Products.
Abstract
Pseudomonas Pxy was shown to oxidize para- and meta-xylene to the corresponding toluic acids. The latter compounds were oxidized to 4- and 3-methylcatechols prior to the enzymatic fission of the aromatic nucleus. Pathways are proposed for the degradation of both xylene isomers. The genes specifying the enzymes responsible for xylene degradation are carried out on a transmissible plasmid. A Nocardia species oxidized ortho-xylene to 3,4-dimethyl catechol. The latter compound was further metabolized to propionaldehyde and pyruvic acid. A pathway is proposed for the biodegradation of ortho-xylene by this organism. Dibenzothiophene is oxidized by a mutant strain of Beijerinckia to cis-1, 2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydrodibenzothiophene. Enzymes present in the parent organism oxidized this metabolite to 3-hydroxy-2-formylbenzothiophene which was resistant to further degradation. A pathway for the microbial degradation of dibenzothiophene is proposed. The same mutant strain of Beijerinckia oxidized 2,-3-, and 4-chlorobiphenyl to analogous cis-dihydrodiols. Each metabolite was isolated and characterized. The components of a commercial polychlorinated biphenyl, Aroclor 1221, were identified and quantified by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. The only components in this mixture that were significantly oxidized by beijerinckia were biphenyl and its monochlorinated derivatives. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 03, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA047092
Entities
People
- David T. Gibson
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin