Physiology, Biochemistry, and Genetics of a Pure Culture of an Obligatory Anaerobic Bacterium That Utilizes 2,4,-6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and Biodegradation of RDX by Pure Cultures of Obligatory Anaerobic Bacteria of the Genus Clostridium.
Abstract
In work supported by the US AFOSR (grant F49620-94-1-0306) we are conducting detailed biochemical and genetic studies of three strains of Clostridium bifernientans, obligatory anaerobic bacteria that appear to completely degrade a variety of nitroaromatic compounds, including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). We are determining the optimal physiological conditions for the degradative activities of C. bifermentans strains; and identifying and characterizing enzymes and genes involved in the biotransformation of nitroaromatic compounds by C. bifermentans. In our AASERT supplemental grant(AFOSR-93-1-O464) we expanded these goals to the explosive RDX (1,3,5-triaza-1,3,5-trinitrocyclohexane. The AASERT grant funded two graduate students, who characterized the ability of C. bifermentans to degrade RDX (Regan, K. N., and R.L. Crawford, 1994. Biotechnol. Kett. 16: 1081- 1086), and prepared both genomic and plasmid DNA libraries from C. bifermentans. This genetic work will accelerate our progress toward our goal of characterizing the genetics of TNT/RDx degradation by our clostridia (K. Diedrich, M.S. thesis, University of Idaho; in preparation).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA315300
Entities
People
- Don L. Crawford
- Ronald L. Crawford
Organizations
- University of Idaho