Investigations into the Genetic Basis of the Biodegradation of Phenolic Wastes in Selected Strains of Pseudomonas
Abstract
The past decade has seen a literal explosion in the application of microbial metabolism to waste management problems, and a parallel growth of interest in the genetic mechanisms which underlie such capacities. This laboratory, under the auspices of the AFOSR and, for a time, the AF Systems Command, was responsible for engineering an artificial ecosystem of organisms capable of handling concentrated phenolic wastes at extremely high efficiencies. Simultaneously, studies were also undertaken to develop an understanding of the genetic mechanisms characteristic of organisms adapted for use in phenolics biodegradation tasks. Two species of bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas putida have been studied to determine the induction controls governing the membrane-bound hydoxylases and oxygenases responsible for cresol degradation. Interrupted mating, oxygen probe and spectrophotometric enzyme studies suggest a late chromosomal location for information controlling the expression of the 2,3 oxygenase for 4 methyl and 3 methyl catechol. P. aeruginosa JPT3-4 plasmid DNA transforms P. putida AC137 TOL+ to cresol competency at low frequency. Such transformation is apparently linked to a plasmid incompatible with TOL. The exact type of information transferred is not yet known. It is hoped that these studies on genetic mechanisms will lead to a strain of bacteria with greater cresol degrading abilities. (KT)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA214927
Entities
People
- Howell D. Cobb
- John W. Egan
- William E. Olive Jr.
Organizations
- Trinity University