Phylogenetic and Metabolic Diversity of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX)-transforming Bacteria in Strictly Anaerobic Mixed Cultures Enriched on RDX as Nitrogen Source

Abstract

Five obligate anaerobes that were most closely related to Clostridium bifermentans, Clostridium celerecrescens, Clostridium saccharolyticum, Clostridium butyricum and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans by their 16S rRNA genes sequences were isolated from enrichment cultures using hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) as a nitrogen source. The above isolates transformed RDX at rates of 24.0, 5.4, 6.2, 2.5, 5.5 micro molecule h(-1) g (dry weight) of cells(-1), respectively, to nitrite, formaldehyde, methanol, and nitrous oxide. The present results indicate that clostridia are major strains responsible for RDX removal, and all isolates seemed to mainly transform RDX via its initial reduction to MNX and subsequent denitration. Since clostridia are commonly present in soil, we suggest that they may contribute to the removal of RDX in the subsurface (anoxic) soil.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA588546

Entities

People

  • Jalal Hawari
  • Jian-shen Zhao
  • Jim C. Spain

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerobic Bacteria
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Alcohols
  • Anaerobic Bacteria
  • Bacteria
  • Bacteriology
  • Clostridium
  • Degradation
  • Elements
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Environment
  • Escherichia Coli
  • Liquids
  • Microbiology
  • Nitrogen
  • Triazines

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Microbial Pathology