1
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van der Waals MJ, Thornton SF, Rolfe SA, Rock L, Smith JWN, Bosma TNP, Gerritse J. Potential of stable isotope analysis to deduce anaerobic biodegradation of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in groundwater: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:16150-16163. [PMID: 38319419 PMCID: PMC10894111 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32109-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Understanding anaerobic biodegradation of ether oxygenates beyond MTBE in groundwater is important, given that it is replaced by ETBE as a gasoline additive in several regions. The lack of studies demonstrating anaerobic biodegradation of ETBE, and its product TBA, reflects the relative resistance of ethers and alcohols with a tertiary carbon atom to enzymatic attack under anoxic conditions. Anaerobic ETBE- or TBA-degrading microorganisms have not been characterized. Only one field study suggested anaerobic ETBE biodegradation. Anaerobic (co)metabolism of ETBE or TBA was reported in anoxic microcosms, indicating their biodegradation potential in anoxic groundwater systems. Non-isotopic methods, such as the detection of contaminant loss, metabolites, or ETBE- and TBA-degrading bacteria are not sufficiently sensitive to track anaerobic biodegradation in situ. Compound- and position-specific stable isotope analysis provides a means to study MTBE biodegradation, but isotopic fractionation of ETBE has only been studied with a few aerobic bacteria (εC -0.7 to -1.7‰, εH -11 to -73‰) and at one anoxic field site (δ2H-ETBE +14‰). Similarly, stable carbon isotope enrichment (δ13C-TBA +6.5‰) indicated TBA biodegradation at an anoxic field site. CSIA and PSIA are promising methods to detect anaerobic ETBE and TBA biodegradation but need to be investigated further to assess their full potential at field scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelle J van der Waals
- Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, 3484 BK, The Netherlands
- Present address: KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Steven F Thornton
- Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin St, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK
| | - Stephen A Rolfe
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Luc Rock
- Shell Global Solutions International BV, Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, The Hague, 2596 HR, The Netherlands
- Present address: Shell Global Solutions (Canada) Inc, 4000 - 500 Centre Street SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 1A6, Canada
| | - Jonathan W N Smith
- Shell Global Solutions (UK) Ltd, Shell Centre, York Road, London, SE1 7NA, UK
| | - Tom N P Bosma
- Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, 3484 BK, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Gerritse
- Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, 3484 BK, The Netherlands.
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2
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Chen Y, Ren H, Kong X, Wu H, Lu Z. A multicomponent propane monooxygenase catalyzes the initial degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether in Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0118723. [PMID: 37823642 PMCID: PMC10617536 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01187-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) has been recognized as a groundwater contaminant due to its widespread distribution and potential threat to human health. The limited understanding of the enzymes catalyzing MTBE degradation restricts their application in MTBE bioremediation. In this study, an MTBE-degrading soluble di-iron monooxygenase that clusters phylogenetically with a known propane monooxygenase (PRM) encoded by the prmABCD gene cluster was identified and functionally characterized, revealing their role in MTBE metabolism by Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that the expression of prmABCD was upregulated when JOB5 was induced by MTBE. Escherichia coli Rosetta heterologously expressing prmABCD from JOB5 could transform MTBE, indicating that the PRM of JOB5 is capable of the initial degradation of MTBE. The loss of the gene encoding the oxygenase α-subunit or β-subunit, the coupling protein, or the reductase disrupted MTBE transformation by the recombinant E. coli Rosetta. In addition, the catalytic capacity of PRM is likely affected by residue G95 in the active site pocket and residues I84, P165, A269, and V270 in the substrate tunnel structure. Mutation of amino acids in the active site and substrate tunnel resulted in inefficiency or inactivation of MTBE degradation, and the activity in 1,4-dioxane (1,4-D) degradation was diminished less than that in MTBE degradation.IMPORTANCEMulticomponent monooxygenases catalyzing the initial hydroxylation of MTBE are important in MTBE biodegradation. Previous studies of MTBE degradation enzymes have focused on P450s, alkane monooxygenase and MTBE monooxygenase, but the vital role of soluble di-iron monooxygenases has rarely been reported. In this study, we deciphered the essential catalytic role of a PRM and revealed the key residues of the PRM in MTBE metabolism. Our findings provide new insight into the MTBE-degrading gene cluster and enzymes in bacteria. This characterization of the PRM associated with MTBE degradation expands our understanding of MTBE-degrading gene diversity and provides a novel candidate enzyme for the bioremediation of MTBE-contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Chen
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Ren
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiangyu Kong
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Wu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhenmei Lu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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3
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Thornton SF, Nicholls HCG, Rolfe SA, Mallinson HEH, Spence MJ. Biodegradation and fate of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) in soil and groundwater: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 391:122046. [PMID: 32145642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This review summarises the current state of knowledge on the biodegradation and fate of the gasoline ether oxygenate ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) in soil and groundwater. Microorganisms have been identified in soil and groundwater with the ability to degrade ETBE aerobically as a carbon and energy source, or via cometabolism using alkanes as growth substrates. Aerobic biodegradation of ETBE initially occurs via hydroxylation of the ethoxy carbon by a monooxygenase enzyme, with subsequent formation of intermediates which include acetaldehyde, tert-butyl acetate (TBAc), tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propanol (MHP) and 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA). Slow cell growth and low biomass yields on ETBE are believed to result from the ether structure and slow degradation kinetics, with potential limitations on ETBE metabolism. Genes known to facilitate transformation of ETBE include ethB (within the ethRABCD cluster), encoding a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, and alkB-encoding alkane hydroxylases. Other genes have been identified in microorganisms but their activity and specificity towards ETBE remains poorly characterised. Microorganisms and pathways supporting anaerobic biodegradation of ETBE have not been identified, although this potential has been demonstrated in limited field and laboratory studies. The presence of co-contaminants (other ether oxygenates, hydrocarbons and organic compounds) in soil and groundwater may limit aerobic biodegradation of ETBE by preferential metabolism and consumption of available dissolved oxygen or enhance ETBE biodegradation through cometabolism. Both ETBE-degrading microorganisms and alkane-oxidising bacteria have been characterised, with potential for use in bioaugmentation and biostimulation of ETBE degradation in groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- S F Thornton
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - H C G Nicholls
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - S A Rolfe
- Dept of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - H E H Mallinson
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Dept of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - M J Spence
- Concawe, Environmental Science for European Refining, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160 Brussels, Belgium
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4
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Rohwerder T, Rohde MT, Jehmlich N, Purswani J. Actinobacterial Degradation of 2-Hydroxyisobutyric Acid Proceeds via Acetone and Formyl-CoA by Employing a Thiamine-Dependent Lyase Reaction. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:691. [PMID: 32351493 PMCID: PMC7176365 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The tertiary branched short-chain 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA) has been associated with several metabolic diseases and lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation seems to be a common eukaryotic as well as prokaryotic post-translational modification in proteins. In contrast, the underlying 2-HIBA metabolism has thus far only been detected in a few microorganisms, such as the betaproteobacterium Aquincola tertiaricarbonis L108 and the Bacillus group bacterium Kyrpidia tusciae DSM 2912. In these strains, 2-HIBA can be specifically activated to the corresponding CoA thioester by the 2-HIBA-CoA ligase (HCL) and is then isomerized to 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA in a reversible and B12-dependent mutase reaction. Here, we demonstrate that the actinobacterial strain Actinomycetospora chiangmaiensis DSM 45062 degrades 2-HIBA and also its precursor 2-methylpropane-1,2-diol via acetone and formic acid by employing a thiamine pyrophosphate-dependent lyase. The corresponding gene is located directly upstream of hcl, which has previously been found only in operonic association with the 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA mutase genes in other bacteria. Heterologous expression of the lyase gene from DSM 45062 in E. coli established a 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA lyase activity in the latter. In line with this, analysis of the DSM 45062 proteome reveals a strong induction of the lyase-HCL gene cluster on 2-HIBA. Acetone is likely degraded via hydroxylation to acetol catalyzed by a MimABCD-related binuclear iron monooxygenase and formic acid appears to be oxidized to CO2 by selenium-dependent dehydrogenases. The presence of the lyase-HCL gene cluster in isoprene-degrading Rhodococcus strains and Pseudonocardia associated with tropical leafcutter ant species points to a role in degradation of biogenic short-chain ketones and highly branched organic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thore Rohwerder
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria-Teresa Rohde
- Institut für Chemie - Biophysikalische Chemie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Nico Jehmlich
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jessica Purswani
- Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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5
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Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus aetherivorans JCM 14343 T, a Bacterium Capable of Degrading Recalcitrant Noncyclic and Cyclic Ethers. Microbiol Resour Announc 2020; 9:9/3/e01345-19. [PMID: 31948959 PMCID: PMC6965577 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01345-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Rhodococcus aetherivorans JCM 14343T, which possesses the versatile ability to degrade recalcitrant noncyclic and cyclic ether compounds. The 4.2-Mbp genome of this bacterium contains alkane hydroxylase and propane monooxygenase genes involved in the degradation of noncyclic and cyclic ethers, respectively. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Rhodococcus aetherivorans JCM 14343T, which possesses the versatile ability to degrade recalcitrant noncyclic and cyclic ether compounds. The 4.2-Mbp genome of this bacterium contains alkane hydroxylase and propane monooxygenase genes involved in the degradation of noncyclic and cyclic ethers, respectively.
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6
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Abstract
Hydrocarbon contamination of water resources is a global issue. These compounds are generated and discharged into the environment in industrial areas from chemical and petrochemical plants, oil refineries, power plants, and so forth. Fuel hydrocarbons, namely, BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) and MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether), are commonly found in groundwater, posing environmental and health risks to humans and ecosystems. Nature-based technologies represent an alternative solution, providing high efficiency, an environmentally friendly character, simple operation, and cost efficiency, which are characteristics particularly desired by the international petroleum industry. This article discusses the use of the green technology of constructed wetlands to remediate water polluted with hydrocarbons. Although the number of related international experiences and studies is limited, the article presents the latest developments of wetland technology for the removal of MTBE and benzene-BTEX. The discussion includes the overall efficiency of the different wetland types that have been tested and used, the main transformation and removal processes that regulate the fate of BTEX and MTBE in constructed wetlands, and the potential for future investigations.
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Kucharzyk KH, Rectanus HV, Bartling CM, Rosansky S, Minard-Smith A, Mullins LA, Neil K. Use of omic tools to assess methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) degradation in groundwater. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 378:120618. [PMID: 31301927 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study employed innovative technologies to evaluate multiple lines of evidence for natural attenuation (NA) of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) in groundwater at the 22 Area of Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton after decommissioning of a biobarrier system. For comparison, data from the 13 Area Gas Station where active treatment of MTBE is occurring was used to evaluate the effectiveness of omic techniques in assessing biodegradation. Overall, the 22 Area Gas Station appeared to be anoxic. MTBE was detected in large portion of the plume. In comparison, concentrations of MTBE at the 13 Area Gas Station were much higher (42,000 μg/L to 2800 μg/L); however, none of the oxygenates were detected. Metagenomic analysis of the indigenous groundwater microbial community revealed the presence of bacterial strains known to aerobically and anaerobically degrade MTBE at both sites. While proteomic analysis at the 22 Area Gas Station showed the presence of proteins of MTBE degrading microorganisms, the MTBE degradative proteins were only found at the 13 Area Gas Station. Taken together, these results provide evidence for previous NA of MTBE in the groundwater at 22 Area Gas Station and demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative-omic technologies to assist monitored NA assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Steve Rosansky
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH, United States
| | | | | | - Kenda Neil
- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (EXWC), Port Huaneme, CA, United States
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8
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Distinct Bacterial Consortia Established in ETBE-Degrading Enrichments from a Polluted Aquifer. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9204247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) is a gasoline additive that became an important aquifer pollutant. The information about natural bacterial consortia with a capacity for complete ETBE degradation is limited. Here we assess the taxonomical composition of bacterial communities and diversity of the ethB gene (involved in ETBE biodegradation) in ETBE-enrichment cultures that were established from a gasoline-polluted aquifer, either from anoxic ETBE-polluted plume water (PW), or from an upstream non-polluted water (UW). We used a 16S rRNA microarray, and 16S rRNA and ethB gene sequencing. Despite the dissimilar initial chemical conditions and microbial composition, ETBE-degrading consortia were obtained from both PW and UW. The composition of ETBE-enrichment cultures was distinct from their initial water samples, reflecting the importance of the rare biosphere as a reservoir of potential ETBE degraders. No convergence was observed between the enrichment cultures originating from UW and PW, which were dominated by Mesorhizobium and Hydrogenophaga, respectively, indicating that distinct consortia with the same functional properties may be present at one site. Conserved ethB genes were evidenced in both PW and UW ETBE-enrichment cultures and in PW water. Our results suggest that the presence of ethB genes rather than the taxonomical composition of in situ bacterial communities indicate the potential for the ETBE degradation at a given site.
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9
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Li S, Wang D, Du D, Qian K, Yan W. Characterization of co-metabolic biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether by a Acinetobacter sp. strain. RSC Adv 2019; 9:38962-38972. [PMID: 35540635 PMCID: PMC9076015 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra09507a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-metabolic bioremediation is a promising approach for the elimination of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), which is a common pollutant found worldwide in ground water. In this paper, a bacterial strain able to co-metabolically degrade MTBE was isolated and named as Acinetobacter sp. SL3 based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Strain SL3 could grow on n-alkanes (C5–C8) accompanied with the co-metabolic degradation of MTBE. The number of carbons present in the n-alkane substrate significantly influenced the degradation rate of MTBE and accumulation of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), with n-octane resulting in a higher MTBE degradation rate (Vmax = 36.7 nmol min−1 mgprotein−1, Ks = 6.4 mmol L−1) and lower TBA accumulation rate. A degradation experiment in a fed-batch reactor revealed that the efficiency of MTBE degradation by Acinetobacter sp. strain SL3 did not show an obvious decrease after nine rounds of MTBE replenishment ranging from 0.1–0.5 mmol L−1. The results of this paper reveal the preferable properties of Acinetobacter sp. SL3 for the bioremediation of MTBE via co-metabolism and leads towards the development of new MTBE elimination technologies. Acinetobacter sp. SL3 could co-metabolically degrade MTBE when grown on n-alkanes. An extremely low TBA accumulation were achieved on n-octane. The fed-batch reactor degradation revealed continuous MTBE degradation capacity by Acinetobacter sp. SL3.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Li
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an
- China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an
- China
| | - Dan Du
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an
- China
| | - Keke Qian
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an
- China
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Environmental Science & Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an
- China
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10
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van der Waals MJ, Pijls C, Sinke AJC, Langenhoff AAM, Smidt H, Gerritse J. Anaerobic degradation of a mixture of MtBE, EtBE, TBA, and benzene under different redox conditions. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:3387-3397. [PMID: 29478141 PMCID: PMC5852185 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8853-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The increasing use of biobased fuels and fuel additives can potentially change the typical fuel-related contamination in soil and groundwater. Anaerobic biotransformation of the biofuel additive ethyl tert-butyl ether (EtBE), as well as of methyl tert-butyl ether (MtBE), benzene, and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA, a possible oxygenate metabolite), was studied at an industrially contaminated site and in the laboratory. Analysis of groundwater samples indicated that in the field MtBE was degraded, yielding TBA as major product. In batch microcosms, MtBE was degraded under different conditions: unamended control, with medium without added electron acceptors, or with ferrihydrite or sulfate (with or without medium) as electron acceptor, respectively. Degradation of EtBE was not observed under any of these conditions tested. TBA was partially depleted in parallel with MtBE. Results of microcosm experiments with MtBE substrate analogues, i.e., syringate, vanillate, or ferulate, were in line with the hypothesis that the observed TBA degradation is a cometabolic process. Microcosms with ferulate, syringate, isopropanol, or diethyl ether showed EtBE depletion up to 86.5% of the initial concentration after 83 days. Benzene was degraded in the unamended controls, with medium without added electron acceptors and with ferrihydrite, sulfate, or chlorate as electron acceptor, respectively. In the presence of nitrate, benzene was only degraded after addition of an anaerobic benzene-degrading community. Nitrate and chlorate hindered MtBE, EtBE, and TBA degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelle J van der Waals
- Deltares, Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Daltonlaan 600, 3584 BK, Utrecht, the Netherlands. .,Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Charles Pijls
- Tauw, Handelskade 37, 7400 AC, Deventer, the Netherlands
| | - Anja J C Sinke
- BP International Limited, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex, TW167BP, UK
| | - Alette A M Langenhoff
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Gerritse
- Deltares, Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Daltonlaan 600, 3584 BK, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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11
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Purswani J, Romero-Zaliz RC, Martín-Platero AM, Guisado IM, González-López J, Pozo C. BSocial: Deciphering Social Behaviors within Mixed Microbial Populations. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:919. [PMID: 28596759 PMCID: PMC5442188 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecosystem functionality depends on interactions among populations, of the same or different taxa, and these are not just the sum of pairwise interactions. Thus, know-how of the social interactions occurring in mixed-populations are of high interest, however they are commonly unknown due to the limitations posed in tagging each population. The limitations include costs/time in tediously fluorescent tagging, and the number of different fluorescent tags. Tag-free strategies exist, such as high-throughput sequencing, but ultimately both strategies require the use of expensive machinery. Our work appoints social behaviors on individual strains in mixed-populations, offering a web-tool (BSocialhttp://m4m.ugr.es/BSocial.html) for analyzing the community framework. Our quick and cheap approach includes the periodic monitoring of optical density (OD) from a full combinatorial testing of individual strains, where number of generations and growth rate are determined. The BSocial analyses then enable us to determine how the addition/absence of a particular species affects the net productivity of a microbial community and use this to select productive combinations, i.e., designate their social effect on a general community. Positive, neutral, or negative assignations are applied to describe the social behavior within the community by comparing fitness effects of the community against the individual strain. The usefulness of this tool for selection of optimal inoculum in biofilm-based methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) bioremediation was demonstrated. The studied model uses seven bacterial strains with diverse MTBE degradation/growth capacities. Full combinatorial testing of seven individual strains (triplicate tests of 127 combinations) were implemented, along with MTBE degradation as the desired function. Sole observation of highest species fitness did not render the best functional outcome, and only when strains with positive and neutral social assignations were mixed (Rhodococcus ruber EE6, Agrobacterium sp. MS2 and Paenibacillus etheri SH7), was this obtained. Furthermore, the use of positive and neutral strains in all its combinations had a significant higher degradation mean (x1.75) than exclusive negative strain combinations. Thus, social microbial processes benefit bioremediation more than negative social microbial combinations. The BSocial webtool is a great contributor to the study of social interactions in bioremediation processes, and may be used in other natural or synthetic habitat studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Purswani
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of GranadaGranada, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, University of GranadaGranada, Spain
| | - Rocío C Romero-Zaliz
- M4Mlab, Department of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, University of GranadaGranada, Spain
| | | | - Isabel M Guisado
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of GranadaGranada, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, University of GranadaGranada, Spain
| | - Jesús González-López
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of GranadaGranada, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, University of GranadaGranada, Spain
| | - Clementina Pozo
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, University of GranadaGranada, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, University of GranadaGranada, Spain
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12
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Simpanen S, Dahl M, Gerlach M, Mikkonen A, Malk V, Mikola J, Romantschuk M. Biostimulation proved to be the most efficient method in the comparison of in situ soil remediation treatments after a simulated oil spill accident. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:25024-25038. [PMID: 27677992 PMCID: PMC5124059 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7606-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The use of in situ techniques in soil remediation is still rare in Finland and most other European countries due to the uncertainty of the effectiveness of the techniques especially in cold regions and also due to their potential side effects on the environment. In this study, we compared the biostimulation, chemical oxidation, and natural attenuation treatments in natural conditions and pilot scale during a 16-month experiment. A real fuel spill accident was used as a model for experiment setup and soil contamination. We found that biostimulation significantly decreased the contaminant leachate into the water, including also the non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL). The total NAPL leachate was 19 % lower in the biostimulation treatment that in the untreated soil and 34 % lower in the biostimulation than oxidation treatment. Soil bacterial growth and community changes were first observed due to the increased carbon content via oil amendment and later due to the enhanced nutrient content via biostimulation. Overall, the most effective treatment for fresh contaminated soil was biostimulation, which enhanced the biodegradation of easily available oil in the mobile phase and consequently reduced contaminant leakage through the soil. The chemical oxidation did not enhance soil cleanup and resulted in the mobilization of contaminants. Our results suggest that biostimulation can decrease or even prevent oil migration in recently contaminated areas and can thus be considered as a potentially safe in situ treatment also in groundwater areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvi Simpanen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140, Lahti, Finland.
| | - Mari Dahl
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140, Lahti, Finland
| | - Magdalena Gerlach
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140, Lahti, Finland
| | - Anu Mikkonen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Survontie 9 C, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Vuokko Malk
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140, Lahti, Finland
- Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences, Patteristonkatu 3, 50100, Mikkeli, Finland
| | - Juha Mikola
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140, Lahti, Finland
| | - Martin Romantschuk
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140, Lahti, Finland
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13
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Alfonso-Gordillo G, Cristiani-Urbina E, Flores-Ortiz CM, Peralta H, Cancino-Díaz JC, Cruz-Maya JA, Jan-Roblero J. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolated from gasoline-contaminated soil is capable of degrading methyl tert-butyl ether. ELECTRON J BIOTECHN 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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14
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Szabó Z, Gyula P, Robotka H, Bató E, Gálik B, Pach P, Pekker P, Papp I, Bihari Z. Draft genome sequence of Methylibium sp. strain T29, a novel fuel oxygenate-degrading bacterial isolate from Hungary. Stand Genomic Sci 2015. [PMID: 26221420 PMCID: PMC4517660 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-015-0023-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylibium sp. strain T29 was isolated from a gasoline-contaminated aquifer and proved to have excellent capabilities in degrading some common fuel oxygenates like methyl tert-butyl ether, tert-amyl methyl ether and tert-butyl alcohol along with other organic compounds. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of M. sp. strain T29 together with the description of the genome properties and its annotation. The draft genome consists of 608 contigs with a total size of 4,449,424 bp and an average coverage of 150×. The genome exhibits an average G + C content of 68.7 %, and contains 4754 protein coding and 52 RNA genes, including 48 tRNA genes. 71 % of the protein coding genes could be assigned to COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups) categories. A formerly unknown circular plasmid designated as pT29A was isolated and sequenced separately and found to be 86,856 bp long.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Szabó
- Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Gyula
- Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Hermina Robotka
- Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Emese Bató
- Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bence Gálik
- Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Pach
- Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Pekker
- Materials Science Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences-University of Miskolc, Miskolc, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Papp
- Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Bihari
- Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Budapest, Hungary
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15
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Li S, Li D, Yan W. Cometabolism of methyl tert-butyl ether by a new microbial consortium ERS. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:10196-10205. [PMID: 25697553 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4211-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The release of methyl tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) into the environment has increased the worldwide concern about the pollution of MTBE. In this paper, a microbial consortium was isolated from the soil sample near an oil station, which can degrade MTBE directly with a low biomass yield and MTBE degrading efficiency. Further research has indicated that this consortium can degrade MTBE efficiently when grown on n-octane as the cometabolic substrate. The results of 16S rDNA based on phylogenetic analysis of the selected operating taxonomic units (OTUs) involved in the consortium revealed that one OTU was related to Pseudomonas putida GPo1, which could cometabolically degrade MTBE on the growth of n-octane. This may help explain why n-octane could be the optimal cometabolic substrate of the consortium for MTBE degradation. Furthermore, the degradation of MTBE was observed along with the consumption of n-octane. Different K s values for MTBE were observed for cells grown with or without n-octane, suggesting that different enzymes are responsible for the oxidation of MTBE in cells grown on n-octane or MTBE. The results are discussed in terms of their impacts on our understanding of MTBE biodegradation and cometabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Li
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
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16
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Involvement of the cytochrome P450 system EthBAD in the N-deethoxymethylation of acetochlor by Rhodococcus sp. strain T3-1. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 81:2182-8. [PMID: 25595756 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03764-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetochlor [2-chloro-N-(ethoxymethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-acetamide] is a widely applied herbicide with potential carcinogenic properties. N-Deethoxymethylation is the key step in acetochlor biodegradation. N-Deethoxymethylase is a multicomponent enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of acetochlor to 2'-methyl-6'-ethyl-2-chloroacetanilide (CMEPA). Fast detection of CMEPA by a two-enzyme (N-deethoxymethylase-amide hydrolase) system was established in this research. Based on the fast detection method, a three-component enzyme was purified from Rhodococcus sp. strain T3-1 using ammonium sulfate precipitation and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The molecular masses of the components of the purified enzyme were estimated to be 45, 43, and 11 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Based on the results of peptide mass fingerprint analysis, acetochlor N-deethoxymethylase was identified as a cytochrome P450 system, composed of a cytochrome P450 oxygenase (43-kDa component; EthB), a ferredoxin (45 kDa; EthA), and a reductase (11 kDa; EthD), that is involved in the degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether. The gene cluster ethABCD was cloned by PCR amplification and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Resting cells of a recombinant E. coli strain showed deethoxymethylation activity against acetochlor. Subcloning of ethABCD showed that ethABD expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) has the activity of acetochlor N-deethoxymethylase and is capable of converting acetochlor to CMEPA.
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Le Digabel Y, Demanèche S, Benoit Y, Fayolle-Guichard F, Vogel TM. Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE)-degrading microbial communities in enrichments from polluted environments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2014; 279:502-510. [PMID: 25108826 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) degradation capacity and phylogenetic composition of five aerobic enrichment cultures with ETBE as the sole carbon and energy source were studied. In all cases, ETBE was entirely degraded to biomass and CO2. Clone libraries of the 16S rRNA gene were prepared from each enrichment. The analyses of the DNA sequences obtained showed different taxonomic compositions with a majority of Proteobacteria in three cases. The two other enrichments have different microbiota with an abundance of Acidobacteria in one case, whereas the microbiota in the second was more diverse (majority of Actinobacteria, Chlorobi and Gemmatimonadetes). Actinobacteria were detected in all five enrichments. Several bacterial strains were isolated from the enrichments and five were capable of degrading ETBE and/or tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), a degradation intermediate. The five included three Rhodococcus sp. (IFP 2040, IFP 2041, IFP 2043), one Betaproteobacteria (IFP 2047) belonging to the Rubrivivax/Leptothrix/Ideonella branch, and one Pseudonocardia sp. (IFP 2050). Quantification of these five strains and two other strains, Rhodococcus sp. IFP 2042 and Bradyrhizobium sp. IFP2049, which had been previously isolated from one of the enrichments was carried out on the different enrichments based on quantitative PCR with specific 16S rRNA gene primers and the results were consistent with the hypothesized role of Actinobacteria and Betaproteobacteria in the degradation of ETBE and the possible role of Bradyrhizobium strains in the degradation of TBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoann Le Digabel
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005, Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 36 avenue Guy de Collongue, 69134 Ecully, France; Institut Français du Pétrole Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), Biotechnology Departement, 1-4 avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France
| | - Sandrine Demanèche
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005, Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 36 avenue Guy de Collongue, 69134 Ecully, France
| | - Yves Benoit
- Institut Français du Pétrole Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), Biotechnology Departement, 1-4 avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France
| | - Françoise Fayolle-Guichard
- Institut Français du Pétrole Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN), Biotechnology Departement, 1-4 avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France.
| | - Timothy M Vogel
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005, Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, 36 avenue Guy de Collongue, 69134 Ecully, France
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18
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Tailoring the nitrogen sources of bacterial culture to enhance methyl tert-butyl ether degradation. ANN MICROBIOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13213-014-0960-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Levchuk I, Bhatnagar A, Sillanpää M. Overview of technologies for removal of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 476-477:415-433. [PMID: 24486497 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Wide use of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as fuel oxygenates leads to worldwide environment contamination with this compound basically due to fuel leaks from storage or pipelines. Presence of MTBE in drinking water is of high environmental and social concern. Existing methods for MTBE removal from water have a number of limitations which can be possibly overcome in the future with use of emerging technologies. This work aims to provide an updated overview of recent developments in technologies for MTBE removal from water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Levchuk
- Laboratory of Green Chemistry, Department of Energy and Environmental Technology, Faculty of Technology, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Sammonkatu 12, FI-50130 Mikkeli, Finland.
| | - Amit Bhatnagar
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Mika Sillanpää
- Laboratory of Green Chemistry, Department of Energy and Environmental Technology, Faculty of Technology, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Sammonkatu 12, FI-50130 Mikkeli, Finland
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20
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Enhanced biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl-ether by a microbial consortium. Curr Microbiol 2013; 68:317-23. [PMID: 24162446 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-013-0480-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 09/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The widespread use of Methyl tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) as a gasoline additive has resulted in a higher detection rate of MTBE in groundwater systems. Therefore, the researchers show more concern about the bioremediation of MTBE-impacted aquifers. In this paper, a MTBE-direct-degrading bacterial consortium was enriched (named RS1) and further studied. In order to identify the microbial community of the consortium, 17 and 12 different single strains were isolated from nutrient medium and MSM media (with MTBE as the sole carbon source), respectively. 16S rDNA-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that these diverse bacteria belonged to 14 genera, in which Pseudomonas was dominant. Several strains which can grow with MTBE as the sole carbon and energy source were also identified, such as M1, related to MTBE-degrading Arthrobacter sp. ATCC27778. Furthermore, the appropriate addition of certain single strain in consortium RS1 (M1:RS1 = 1:2) facilitates MTBE degradation by increasing the quantity of efficient MTBE-degrading bacteria. This work will provide microbial source and theoretical fundament for further bioremediation of MTBE-contaminated aquifers, which has applied potential and environmental importance.
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21
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Vogt C, Richnow HH. Bioremediation via in situ microbial degradation of organic pollutants. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2013; 142:123-46. [PMID: 24337042 DOI: 10.1007/10_2013_266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Contamination of soil and natural waters by organic pollutants is a global problem. The major organic pollutants of point sources are mineral oil, fuel components, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Research from the last two decades discovered that most of these compounds are biodegradable under anoxic conditions. This has led to the rise of bioremediation strategies based on the in situ biodegradation of pollutants. Monitored natural attenuation is a concept by which a contaminated site is remediated by natural biodegradation; to evaluate such processes, a combination of chemical and microbiological methods are usually used. Compound specific stable isotope analysis emerged as a key method for detecting and quantifying in situ biodegradation. Natural attenuation processes can be initiated or accelerated by manipulating the environmental conditions to become favorable for indigenous pollutant degrading microbial communities or by adding externally breeded specific pollutant degrading microorganisms; these techniques are referred to as enhanced natural attenuation. Xenobiotic micropollutants, such as pesticides or pharmaceuticals, contaminate diffusively large areas in low concentrations; the biodegradation pattern of such contaminations are not yet understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Vogt
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany,
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22
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Hyman M. Biodegradation of gasoline ether oxygenates. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2012; 24:443-50. [PMID: 23116604 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2012.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Ether oxygenates such as methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) are added to gasoline to improve fuel combustion and decrease exhaust emissions. Ether oxygenates and their tertiary alcohol metabolites are now an important group of groundwater pollutants. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the microorganisms, enzymes and pathways involved in both the aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of these compounds. This review also aims to illustrate how these microbiological and biochemical studies have guided, and have helped refine, molecular and stable isotope-based analytical approaches that are increasingly being used to detect and quantify biodegradation of these compounds in contaminated environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hyman
- Department of Microbiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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23
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Rosell M, Gonzalez-Olmos R, Rohwerder T, Rusevova K, Georgi A, Kopinke FD, Richnow HH. Critical evaluation of the 2D-CSIA scheme for distinguishing fuel oxygenate degradation reaction mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:4757-4766. [PMID: 22455373 DOI: 10.1021/es2036543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Although the uniform initial hydroxylation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and other oxygenates during aerobic biodegradation has already been proven by molecular tools, variations in carbon and hydrogen enrichment factors (ε(C) and ε(H)) have still been associated with different reaction mechanisms (McKelvie et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2009, 43, 2793-2799). Here, we present new laboratory-derived ε(C) and ε(H) data on the initial degradation mechanisms of MTBE, ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) by chemical oxidation (permanganate, Fenton reagents), acid hydrolysis, and aerobic bacteria cultures (species of Aquincola, Methylibium, Gordonia, Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Rhodococcus). Plotting of Δδ(2)H/ Δδ(13)C data from chemical oxidation and hydrolysis of ethers resulted in slopes (Λ values) of 22 ± 4 and between 6 and 12, respectively. With A. tertiaricarbonis L108, R. zopfii IFP 2005, and Gordonia sp. IFP 2009, ε(C) was low (<|-1|‰) and ε(H) was insignificant. Fractionation obtained with P. putida GPo1 was similar to acid hydrolysis and M. austroafricanum JOB5 and R. ruber DSM 7511 displayed Λ values previously only ascribed to anaerobic attack. The fractionation patterns rather correlate with the employment of different P450, AlkB, and other monooxygenases, likely catalyzing ether hydroxylation via different transition states. Our data questions the value of 2D-CSIA for a simple distinguishing of oxygenate biotransformation mechanisms, therefore caution and complementary tools are needed for proper interpretation of groundwater plumes at field sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mònica Rosell
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
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Fayolle-Guichard F, Durand J, Cheucle M, Rosell M, Michelland RJ, Tracol JP, Le Roux F, Grundman G, Atteia O, Richnow HH, Dumestre A, Benoit Y. Study of an aquifer contaminated by ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE): site characterization and on-site bioremediation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2012; 201-202:236-243. [PMID: 22177017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.11.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2011] [Revised: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) was detected at high concentration (300mgL(-1)) in the groundwater below a gas-station. No significant carbon neither hydrogen isotopic fractionation of ETBE was detected along the plume. ETBE and BTEX biodegradation capacities of the indigenous microflora Pz1-ETBE and of a culture (MC-IFP) composed of Rhodococcus wratislaviensis IFP 2016, Rhodococcus aetherivorans IFP 2017 and Aquincola tertiaricarbonis IFP 2003 showed that ETBE and BTEX degradation rates were in the same range (ETBE: 0.91 and 0.83 mg L(-1)h(-1) and BTEX: 0.64 and 0.82 mg L(-1)h(-1), respectively) but tert-butanol (TBA) accumulated transiently at a high level using Pz1-ETBE (74 mg L(-1)). An on-site pilot plant (2m(3)) filled with polluted groundwater and inoculated by MC-IFP, successfully degraded four successive additions of ETBE and gasoline. However, an insignificant ETBE isotopic fractionation was also accompanying this decrease which suggested the involvement of low fractionating-strains using EthB enzymes, but required of additional proofs. The ethB gene encoding a cytochrome P450 involved in ETBE biodegradation (present in R. aetherivorans IFP 2017) was monitored by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) on DNA extracted from water sampled in the pilot plant which yield up to 5×10(6) copies of ethB gene per L(-1).
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Bacterial degradation of tert-amyl alcohol proceeds via hemiterpene 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol by employing the tertiary alcohol desaturase function of the Rieske nonheme mononuclear iron oxygenase MdpJ. J Bacteriol 2011; 194:972-81. [PMID: 22194447 DOI: 10.1128/jb.06384-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tertiary alcohols, such as tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) and tert-amyl alcohol (TAA) and higher homologues, are only slowly degraded microbially. The conversion of TBA seems to proceed via hydroxylation to 2-methylpropan-1,2-diol, which is further oxidized to 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid. By analogy, a branched pathway is expected for the degradation of TAA, as this molecule possesses several potential hydroxylation sites. In Aquincola tertiaricarbonis L108 and Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1, a likely candidate catalyst for hydroxylations is the putative tertiary alcohol monooxygenase MdpJ. However, by comparing metabolite accumulations in wild-type strains of L108 and PM1 and in two mdpJ knockout mutants of strain L108, we could clearly show that MdpJ is not hydroxylating TAA to diols but functions as a desaturase, resulting in the formation of the hemiterpene 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol. The latter is further processed via the hemiterpenes prenol, prenal, and 3-methylcrotonic acid. Likewise, 3-methyl-3-pentanol is degraded via 3-methyl-1-penten-3-ol. Wild-type strain L108 and mdpJ knockout mutants formed isoamylene and isoprene from TAA and 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, respectively. It is likely that this dehydratase activity is catalyzed by a not-yet-characterized enzyme postulated for the isomerization of 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol and prenol. The vitamin requirements of strain L108 growing on TAA and the occurrence of 3-methylcrotonic acid as a metabolite indicate that TAA and hemiterpene degradation are linked with the catabolic route of the amino acid leucine, including an involvement of the biotin-dependent 3-methylcrotonyl coenzyme A (3-methylcrotonyl-CoA) carboxylase LiuBD. Evolutionary aspects of favored desaturase versus hydroxylation pathways for TAA conversion and the possible role of MdpJ in the degradation of higher tertiary alcohols are discussed.
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26
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Rasa E, Chapman SW, Bekins BA, Fogg GE, Scow KM, Mackay DM. Role of back diffusion and biodegradation reactions in sustaining an MTBE/TBA plume in alluvial media. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2011; 126:235-47. [PMID: 22115089 PMCID: PMC3267905 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2011.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2011] [Revised: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 08/18/2011] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
A methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) / tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) plume originating from a gasoline spill in late 1994 at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) persisted for over 15 years within 200 feet of the original spill source. The plume persisted until 2010 despite excavation of the tanks and piping within months after the spill and excavations of additional contaminated sediments from the source area in 2007 and 2008. The probable history of MTBE concentrations along the plume centerline at its source was estimated using a wide variety of available information, including published details about the original spill, excavations and monitoring by VAFB consultants, and our own research data. Two-dimensional reactive transport simulations of MTBE along the plume centerline were conducted for a 20-year period following the spill. These analyses suggest that MTBE diffused from the thin anaerobic aquifer into the adjacent anaerobic silts and transformed to TBA in both aquifer and silt layers. The model reproduces the observation that after 2004 TBA was the dominant solute, diffusing back out of the silts into the aquifer and sustaining plume concentrations much longer than would have been the case in the absence of such diffusive exchange. Simulations also suggest that aerobic degradation of MTBE or TBA at the water table in the overlying silt layer significantly affected concentrations of MTBE and TBA by limiting the chemical mass available for back diffusion to the aquifer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Rasa
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California, 95616, USA
- Tel.: +1 530 574 8193; fax: +1 530 752 1552.
| | - Steven W. Chapman
- School of Engineering, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Barbara A. Bekins
- U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.
| | - Graham E. Fogg
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California, 95616, USA.
| | - Kate M. Scow
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California, 95616, USA.
| | - Douglas M. Mackay
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California, 95616, USA.
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van Afferden M, Rahman KZ, Mosig P, De Biase C, Thullner M, Oswald SE, Müller RA. Remediation of groundwater contaminated with MTBE and benzene: the potential of vertical-flow soil filter systems. WATER RESEARCH 2011; 45:5063-5074. [PMID: 21794890 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2011.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2011] [Revised: 07/04/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Field investigations on the treatment of MTBE and benzene from contaminated groundwater in pilot or full-scale constructed wetlands are lacking hugely. The aim of this study was to develop a biological treatment technology that can be operated in an economic, reliable and robust mode over a long period of time. Two pilot-scale vertical-flow soil filter eco-technologies, a roughing filter (RF) and a polishing filter (PF) with plants (willows), were operated independently in a single-stage configuration and coupled together in a multi-stage (RF+PF) configuration to investigate the MTBE and benzene removal performances. Both filters were loaded with groundwater from a refinery site contaminated with MTBE and benzene as the main contaminants, with a mean concentration of 2970±816 and 13,966±1998 μg L(-1), respectively. Four different hydraulic loading rates (HLRs) with a stepwise increment of 60, 120, 240 and 480 L m(-2) d(-1) were applied over a period of 388 days in the single-stage operation. At the highest HLR of 480 L m(-2) d(-1), the mean concentrations of MTBE and benzene were found to be 550±133 and 65±123 μg L(-1) in the effluent of the RF. In the effluent of the PF system, respective mean MTBE and benzene concentrations of 49±77 and 0.5±0.2 μg L(-1) were obtained, which were well below the relevant MTBE and benzene limit values of 200 and 1 μg L(-1) for drinking water quality. But a dynamic fluctuation in the effluent MTBE concentration showed a lack of stability in regards to the increase in the measured values by nearly 10%, which were higher than the limit value. Therefore, both (RF+PF) filters were combined in a multi-stage configuration and the combined system proved to be more stable and effective with a highly efficient reduction of the MTBE and benzene concentrations in the effluent. Nearly 70% of MTBE and 98% of benzene were eliminated from the influent groundwater by the first vertical filter (RF) and the remaining amount was almost completely diminished (∼100% reduction) after passing through the second filter (PF), with a mean MTBE and benzene concentration of 5±10 and 0.6±0.2 μg L(-1) in the final effluent. The emission rate of volatile organic compounds mass into the air from the systems was less than 1% of the inflow mass loading rate. The results obtained in this study not only demonstrate the feasibility of vertical-flow soil filter systems for treating groundwater contaminated with MTBE and benzene, but can also be considered a major step forward towards their application under full-scale conditions for commercial purposes in the oil and gas industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred van Afferden
- Centre for Environmental Biotechnology (UBZ), UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
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Purswani J, Juárez B, Rodelas B, Gónzalez-López J, Pozo C. Biofilm formation and microbial activity in a biofilter system in the presence of MTBE, ETBE and TAME. CHEMOSPHERE 2011; 85:616-624. [PMID: 21774959 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.06.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2011] [Revised: 06/22/2011] [Accepted: 06/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Emerging water contaminants derived from unleaded gasoline such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), are in need of effective bioremediation technologies for restoring water resources. In order to design the conditions of a future groundwater bioremediating biofilter, this work assesses the potential use of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus M10, Rhodococcus ruber E10 and Gordonia amicalis T3 for the removal of MTBE, ETBE and TAME in consortia or as individual strains. Biofilm formation on an inert polyethylene support material was assessed with scanning electron microscopy, and consortia were also analysed with fluorescent in situ hybridisation to examine the relation between the strains. A. calcoaceticus M10 was the best coloniser, followed by G. amicalis T3, however, biofilm formation of pair consortia favoured consortium M10-E10 both in formation and activity. However, degradation batch studies determined that neither consortium exhibited higher degradation than individual strain degradation. The physiological state of the three strains was also determined through flow cytometry using propidium iodide and 3'-dihexylocarbocyanine iodide thus gathering information on their viability and activity with the three oxygenates since previous microbial counts revealed slow growth. Strain E10 was observed to have the highest physiological activity in the presence of MTBE, and strain M10 activity with TAME was only maintained for 24 h, thus we believe that biotransformation of MTBE occurs within the active periods established by the cytometry analyses. Viable cell counts and oxygenate removal were determined in the presence of the metabolites tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) and tert-amyl alcohol (TAA), resulting in TBA biotransformation by M10 and E10, and TAA by M10. Our results show that A. calcoaceticus M10 and the consortium M10-E10 could be adequate inocula in MTBE and TAME bioremediating technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Purswani
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute of Water Research, Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, C/Ramón y Cajal no. 4, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Formation of alkenes via degradation of tert-alkyl ethers and alcohols by Aquincola tertiaricarbonis L108 and Methylibium spp. Appl Environ Microbiol 2011; 77:5981-7. [PMID: 21742915 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00093-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial degradation pathways of fuel oxygenates such as methyl tert-butyl and tert-amyl methyl ether (MTBE and TAME, respectively) have already been studied in some detail. However, many of the involved enzymes are still unknown, and possible side reactions have not yet been considered. In Aquincola tertiaricarbonis L108, Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1, and Methylibium sp. strain R8, we have now detected volatile hydrocarbons as by-products of the degradation of the tert-alkyl ether metabolites tert-butyl and tert-amyl alcohol (TBA and TAA, respectively). The alkene isobutene was formed only during TBA catabolism, while the beta and gamma isomers of isoamylene were produced only during TAA conversion. Both tert-alkyl alcohol degradation and alkene production were strictly oxygen dependent. However, the relative contribution of the dehydration reaction to total alcohol conversion increased with decreasing oxygen concentrations. In resting-cell experiments where the headspace oxygen content was adjusted to less than 2%, more than 50% of the TAA was converted to isoamylene. Isobutene formation from TBA was about 20-fold lower, reaching up to 4% alcohol turnover at low oxygen concentrations. It is likely that the putative tert-alkyl alcohol monooxygenase MdpJ, belonging to the Rieske nonheme mononuclear iron enzymes and found in all three strains tested, or an associated enzymatic step catalyzed the unusual elimination reaction. This was also supported by the detection of mdpJK genes in MTBE-degrading and isobutene-emitting enrichment cultures obtained from two treatment ponds operating at Leuna, Germany. The possible use of alkene formation as an easy-to-measure indicator of aerobic fuel oxygenate biodegradation in contaminated aquifers is discussed.
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Chen SC, Chen CS, Zhan KV, Yang KH, Chien CC, Shieh BS, Chen WM. Biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) by Enterobacter sp. NKNU02. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2011; 186:1744-1750. [PMID: 21227585 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.12.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2010] [Revised: 11/27/2010] [Accepted: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We previously isolated and identified Enterobacter sp. NKNU02 as a methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)-degrading bacterial strain from gasoline-contaminated water. In this study, tert-butyl alcohol, acetic acid, 2-propanol, and propenoic acid were detected using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry when MTBE was degraded by rest cells of Enterobacter sp. NKNU02 cells. We also found that biodegradation of MTBE was decreased, but not totally inhibited in mixtures of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene. The effects of MTBE on the biology of Enterobacter sp. NKNU02 were elucidated using 2D proteomic analysis. The cytoplasmic proteins isolated from these MTBE-treated and -untreated cells were carried out for proteomic analysis. Results showed that there were 6 differential protein spots and 8 differential protein spots, respectively, as compared to their corresponding control (without MTBE addition), at the indicated incubation times when 40% and 60% of 100 mg/L of MTBE had been removed, Among these proteins, nine were successfully identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry. Proteins identified included extracellular solute-binding protein, periplasmic-binding protein ytfQ, cationic amino acid ABC transporter, isocitrate dehydrogenase, cysteine synthase A, alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC), transaldolase, and alcohol dehydrogenase. Based on these differential proteins, we discuss the bacterial responses to MTBE at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ssu Ching Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Jhongli City, Taoyuan County, Taiwan.
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Linking low-level stable isotope fractionation to expression of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase-encoding ethB gene for elucidation of methyl tert-butyl ether biodegradation in aerated treatment pond systems. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 77:1086-96. [PMID: 21148686 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01698-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidimensional compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) was applied in combination with RNA-based molecular tools to characterize methyl tertiary (tert-) butyl ether (MTBE) degradation mechanisms occurring in biofilms in an aerated treatment pond used for remediation of MTBE-contaminated groundwater. The main pathway for MTBE oxidation was elucidated by linking the low-level stable isotope fractionation (mean carbon isotopic enrichment factor [ε(C)] of -0.37‰ ± 0.05‰ and no significant hydrogen isotopic enrichment factor [ε(H)]) observed in microcosm experiments to expression of the ethB gene encoding a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase able to catalyze the oxidation of MTBE in biofilm samples both from the microcosms and directly from the ponds. 16S rRNA-specific primers revealed the presence of a sequence 100% identical to that of Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1, a well-characterized MTBE degrader. However, neither expression of the mdpA genes encoding the alkane hydroxylase-like enzyme responsible for MTBE oxidation in this strain nor the related MTBE isotope fractionation pattern produced by PM1 could be detected, suggesting that this enzyme was not active in this system. Additionally, observed low inverse fractionation of carbon (ε(C) of +0.11‰ ± 0.03‰) and low fractionation of hydrogen (ε(H) of -5‰ ± 1‰) in laboratory experiments simulating MTBE stripping from an open surface water body suggest that the application of CSIA in field investigations to detect biodegradation may lead to false-negative results when volatilization effects coincide with the activity of low-fractionating enzymes. As shown in this study, complementary examination of expression of specific catabolic genes can be used as additional direct evidence for microbial degradation activity and may overcome this problem.
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Bastida F, Rosell M, Franchini AG, Seifert J, Finsterbusch S, Jehmlich N, Jechalke S, von Bergen M, Richnow HH. Elucidating MTBE degradation in a mixed consortium using a multidisciplinary approach. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2010; 73:370-84. [PMID: 20491917 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2010.00889.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure and function of a microbial community capable of biodegrading methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was characterized using compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA), clone libraries and stable isotope probing of proteins (Protein-SIP). The enrichment culture (US3-M), which originated from a gasoline-impacted site in the United States, has been enriched on MTBE as the sole carbon source. The slope of isotopic enrichment factors (epsilon(C) of -2.29+/-0.03 per thousand; epsilon(H) of -58+/-6 per thousand) for carbon and hydrogen discrimination (Deltadelta(2)H/Deltadelta(13)C) was on average equal to Lambda=24+/-2, a value closely related to the reaction mechanism of MTBE degradation in Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1. 16S rRNA gene libraries revealed sequences belonging to M. petroleiphilum PM1, Hydrogenophaga sp., Thiothrix unzii, Rhodobacter sp., Nocardiodes sp. and different Sphingomonadaceae bacteria. Protein-SIP analysis of the culture grown on (13)C-MTBE as the only carbon source revealed that proteins related to members of the Comamonadaceae family, such as Delftia acidovorans, Acidovorax sp. or Comamonas sp., were not (13)C-enriched, whereas proteins related to M. petroleiphilum PM1 showed an average incorporation of 94.5 atom%(13)C. These results indicate a key role for this species in the degradation of MTBE within the US3-M consortia. The combination of CSIA, molecular biology and Protein-SIP facilitated the analysis of an MTBE-degrading mixed culture from a functional and phylogenetic point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Bastida
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
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Rohwerder T, Müller RH. Biosynthesis of 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA) from renewable carbon. Microb Cell Fact 2010; 9:13. [PMID: 20184738 PMCID: PMC2847961 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-9-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Accepted: 02/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays a growing demand for green chemicals and cleantech solutions is motivating the industry to strive for biobased building blocks. We have identified the tertiary carbon atom-containing 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA) as an interesting building block for polymer synthesis. Starting from this carboxylic acid, practically all compounds possessing the isobutane structure are accessible by simple chemical conversions, e. g. the commodity methacrylic acid as well as isobutylene glycol and oxide. During recent years, biotechnological routes to 2-HIBA acid have been proposed and significant progress in elucidating the underlying biochemistry has been made. Besides biohydrolysis and biooxidation, now a bioisomerization reaction can be employed, converting the common metabolite 3-hydroxybutyric acid to 2-HIBA by a novel cobalamin-dependent CoA-carbonyl mutase. The latter reaction has recently been discovered in the course of elucidating the degradation pathway of the groundwater pollutant methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in the new bacterial species Aquincola tertiaricarbonis. This discovery opens the ground for developing a completely biotechnological process for producing 2-HIBA. The mutase enzyme has to be active in a suitable biological system producing 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, which is the precursor of the well-known bacterial bioplastic polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). This connection to the PHB metabolism is a great advantage as its underlying biochemistry and physiology is well understood and can easily be adopted towards producing 2-HIBA. This review highlights the potential of these discoveries for a large-scale 2-HIBA biosynthesis from renewable carbon, replacing conventional chemistry as synthesis route and petrochemicals as carbon source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thore Rohwerder
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department Environmental Microbiology, Leipzig, Germany.
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Domínguez de María P, van Gemert RW, Straathof AJJ, Hanefeld U. Biosynthesis of ethers: unusual or common natural events? Nat Prod Rep 2010; 27:370-92. [PMID: 20179877 DOI: 10.1039/b809416k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Ether bonds are found in a wide variety of natural products--mainly secondary metabolites--including lipids, oxiranes, terpenoids, flavonoids, polyketides, and carbohydrate derivatives, to name some representative examples. To furnish such a biodiversity of structures, a large number of different enzymes are involved in several different biosynthetic pathways. Depending on the compound and on the (micro) environment in which the reaction is performed, ethers are produced by very different (enzymatic) reactions, thus providing an impressive display of how Nature has combined evolution and thermodynamics to be able to produce a vast number of compounds. In addition, many of these compounds possess different biological activities of pharmacological interest. Moreover, some of these ethers (i.e., epoxides) have high chemical reactivity, and can be useful starting materials for further synthetic processes. This review aims to provide an overview of the different strategies that are found in Nature for the formation of these "bioethers". Both fundamental and practical insights of the biosynthetic processes will be discussed.
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Auffret M, Labbé D, Thouand G, Greer CW, Fayolle-Guichard F. Degradation of a mixture of hydrocarbons, gasoline, and diesel oil additives by Rhodococcus aetherivorans and Rhodococcus wratislaviensis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2009; 75:7774-82. [PMID: 19837842 PMCID: PMC2794095 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01117-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2009] [Accepted: 10/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Two strains, identified as Rhodococcus wratislaviensis IFP 2016 and Rhodococcus aetherivorans IFP 2017, were isolated from a microbial consortium that degraded 15 petroleum compounds or additives when provided in a mixture containing 16 compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, p-xylene, o-xylene, octane, hexadecane, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane [isooctane], cyclohexane, cyclohexanol, naphthalene, methyl tert-butyl ether [MTBE], ethyl tert-butyl ether [ETBE], tert-butyl alcohol [TBA], and 2-ethylhexyl nitrate [2-EHN]). The strains had broad degradation capacities toward the compounds, including the more recalcitrant ones, MTBE, ETBE, isooctane, cyclohexane, and 2-EHN. R. wratislaviensis IFP 2016 degraded and mineralized to different extents 11 of the compounds when provided individually, sometimes requiring 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane (HMN) as a cosolvent. R. aetherivorans IFP 2017 degraded a reduced spectrum of substrates. The coculture of the two strains degraded completely 13 compounds, isooctane and 2-EHN were partially degraded (30% and 73%, respectively), and only TBA was not degraded. Significant MTBE and ETBE degradation rates, 14.3 and 116.1 mumol of ether degraded h(-1) g(-1) (dry weight), respectively, were measured for R. aetherivorans IFP 2017. The presence of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEXs) had a detrimental effect on ETBE and MTBE biodegradation, whereas octane had a positive effect on the MTBE biodegradation by R. wratislaviensis IFP 2016. BTEXs had either beneficial or detrimental effects on their own degradation by R. wratislaviensis IFP 2016. Potential genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation in the two strains were identified and partially sequenced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Auffret
- Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP), 1-4 Avenue de Bois-Préau, F-92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France, National Research Council, Biotechnology Research Institute (NRC-BRI), 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montréal, Québec H4P 2R2, Canada, Université de Nantes, UMR CNRS GEPEA, IUT 18, Boulevard Gaston Deferre, F-85035 La Roche-sur-Yon, France
| | - Diane Labbé
- Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP), 1-4 Avenue de Bois-Préau, F-92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France, National Research Council, Biotechnology Research Institute (NRC-BRI), 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montréal, Québec H4P 2R2, Canada, Université de Nantes, UMR CNRS GEPEA, IUT 18, Boulevard Gaston Deferre, F-85035 La Roche-sur-Yon, France
| | - Gérald Thouand
- Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP), 1-4 Avenue de Bois-Préau, F-92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France, National Research Council, Biotechnology Research Institute (NRC-BRI), 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montréal, Québec H4P 2R2, Canada, Université de Nantes, UMR CNRS GEPEA, IUT 18, Boulevard Gaston Deferre, F-85035 La Roche-sur-Yon, France
| | - Charles W. Greer
- Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP), 1-4 Avenue de Bois-Préau, F-92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France, National Research Council, Biotechnology Research Institute (NRC-BRI), 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montréal, Québec H4P 2R2, Canada, Université de Nantes, UMR CNRS GEPEA, IUT 18, Boulevard Gaston Deferre, F-85035 La Roche-sur-Yon, France
| | - Françoise Fayolle-Guichard
- Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP), 1-4 Avenue de Bois-Préau, F-92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France, National Research Council, Biotechnology Research Institute (NRC-BRI), 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montréal, Québec H4P 2R2, Canada, Université de Nantes, UMR CNRS GEPEA, IUT 18, Boulevard Gaston Deferre, F-85035 La Roche-sur-Yon, France
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Kinne M, Poraj-Kobielska M, Ralph SA, Ullrich R, Hofrichter M, Hammel KE. Oxidative cleavage of diverse ethers by an extracellular fungal peroxygenase. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:29343-9. [PMID: 19713216 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.040857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Many litter-decay fungi secrete heme-thiolate peroxygenases that oxidize various organic chemicals, but little is known about the role or mechanism of these enzymes. We found that the extracellular peroxygenase of Agrocybe aegerita catalyzed the H2O2-dependent cleavage of environmentally significant ethers, including methyl t-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, and 1,4-dioxane. Experiments with tetrahydrofuran showed the reaction was a two-electron oxidation that generated one aldehyde group and one alcohol group, yielding the ring-opened product 4-hydroxybutanal. Investigations with several model substrates provided information about the route for ether cleavage: (a) steady-state kinetics results with methyl 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl ether, which was oxidized to 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, gave parallel double reciprocal plots suggestive of a ping-pong mechanism (K(m)((peroxide)), 1.99 +/- 0.25 mM; K(m)((ether)), 1.43 +/- 0.23 mM; k(cat), 720 +/- 87 s(-1)), (b) the cleavage of methyl 4-nitrobenzyl ether in the presence of H2(18)O2 resulted in incorporation of 18O into the carbonyl group of the resulting 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, and (c) the demethylation of 1-methoxy-4-trideuteromethoxybenzene showed an observed intramolecular deuterium isotope effect [(k(H)/k(D))(obs)] of 11.9 +/- 0.4. These results suggest a hydrogen abstraction and oxygen rebound mechanism that oxidizes ethers to hemiacetals, which subsequently hydrolyze. The peroxygenase appeared to lack activity on macromolecular ethers, but otherwise exhibited a broad substrate range. It may accordingly have a role in the biodegradation of natural and anthropogenic low molecular weight ethers in soils and plant litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Kinne
- From the Unit of Environmental Biotechnology, International Graduate School of Zittau, 02763 Zittau, Germany
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Biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether by enriched bacterial culture. Curr Microbiol 2009; 59:30-4. [PMID: 19319597 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-009-9391-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2009] [Revised: 02/17/2009] [Accepted: 02/19/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as a sole carbon and energy source was investigated utilizing an enriched bacterial consortium derived from an old environmental MTBE spill. This enriched culture grew on MTBE with concentration up to 500 mg/l, reducing the MTBE in medium to undetectable concentrations in 23 days. Traces of tert-butyl alcohol were detected during MTBE degradation. The degradation was not affected by additional cobalt ions, whereas low concentration of glucose enhanced the rate of degradation. The bacterial community consisted of numerous bacterial genera, the majority being members of the phylum Acidobacteria and genus Terrimonas. The alkane 1-monooxygenase (alk) gene was detected in this consortium. Our findings suggest that environmental degradation of MTBE proceeds along the previously proposed pathway.
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Vosahlíková-Kolárová M, Krejcík Z, Cajthaml T, Demnerová K, Pazlarová J. Biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether using bacterial strains. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2008; 53:411-6. [PMID: 19085075 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-008-0062-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2007] [Revised: 04/17/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Prospective methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) degrading bacterial strains and/or consortia were identified. The potential for aerobic degradation of MTBE was examined using bacterial isolates from contaminated soils and groundwater. Using the 16S rDNA protocol, two isolates capable of degrading MTBE (Rhodococcus pyridinivorans 4A and Achromobacter xylosoxidans 6A) were identified. The most efficient consortium of microorganisms was acquired from contaminated groundwater. The growth of both strains and the consortium on MTBE was supported by various organic substrates, and monitored using Bioscreen. The biochemical oxygen demand of the cultures was measured using OxiTop, and their MTBE concentrations were estimated by gas chromatography. After 3 weeks of aerobic cultivation using n-alkanes as cosubstrate, the concentration of MTBE in R. pyridinivorans 4A was reduced to 62.4 % of its initial amount (50 ppm).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vosahlíková-Kolárová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Chemical Technology, 166 28, Prague, Czech Republic
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Involvement of a novel enzyme, MdpA, in methyl tert-butyl ether degradation in Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1. Appl Environ Microbiol 2008; 74:6631-8. [PMID: 18791002 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01192-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1 is a well-characterized environmental strain capable of complete metabolism of the fuel oxygenate methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Using a molecular genetic system which we established to study MTBE metabolism by PM1, we demonstrated that the enzyme MdpA is involved in MTBE removal, based on insertional inactivation and complementation studies. MdpA is constitutively expressed at low levels but is strongly induced by MTBE. MdpA is also involved in the regulation of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) removal under certain conditions but is not directly responsible for TBA degradation. Phylogenetic comparison of MdpA to related enzymes indicates close homology to the short-chain hydrolyzing alkane hydroxylases (AH1), a group that appears to be a distinct subfamily of the AHs. The unique, substrate-size-determining residue Thr(59) distinguishes MdpA from the AH1 subfamily as well as from AlkB enzymes linked to MTBE degradation in Mycobacterium austroafricanum.
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Kourist R, Domínguez de María P, Bornscheuer UT. Enzymatic Synthesis of Optically Active Tertiary Alcohols: Expanding the Biocatalysis Toolbox. Chembiochem 2008; 9:491-8. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200700688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Bisel P, Al-Momani L, Müller M. The tert-butyl group in chemistry and biology. Org Biomol Chem 2008; 6:2655-65. [DOI: 10.1039/b800083b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Schäfer F, Breuer U, Benndorf D, von Bergen M, Harms H, Müller R. Growth ofAquincola tertiaricarbonis L108 ontert-Butyl Alcohol Leads to the Induction of a Phthalate Dioxygenase-related Protein and its Associated Oxidoreductase Subunit. Eng Life Sci 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/elsc.200700011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Lechner U, Brodkorb D, Geyer R, Hause G, Härtig C, Auling G, Fayolle-Guichard F, Piveteau P, Müller RH, Rohwerder T. Aquincola tertiaricarbonis gen. nov., sp. nov., a tertiary butyl moiety-degrading bacterium. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2007; 57:1295-1303. [PMID: 17551046 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.64663-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Strains L10T, L108 and CIP I-2052 were originally obtained from methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)-contaminated groundwater and from a wastewater treatment plant, respectively. All share the ability to grow on tert-butanol, an intermediate of MTBE degradation. Cells are strictly aerobic, motile by a polar flagellum and exhibit strong pili formation. Poly β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules are formed. The DNA G+C content is 69–70.5 mol% and the main ubiquinone is Q-8. The major cellular fatty acids are 16 : 1 cis-9 and 16 : 0 and the only hydroxy fatty acid is 10 : 0 3-OH. The major phospholipids are phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) 16 : 1/16 : 1 and phosphatidylglycerol 16 : 0/16 : 1. A significant amount of PE 17 : 0/16 : 1 is present. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of these strains are almost identical and form a separate line of descent in the Rubrivivax–Roseateles–Leptothrix–Ideonella–Aquabacterium branch of the Betaproteobacteria with 97 % similarity to 16S rRNA genes of the type strains of Rubrivivax gelatinosus, Leptothrix mobilis and Ideonella dechloratans. However, physiological properties, DNA–DNA relatedness values and the phospholipid and cellular fatty acid profiles distinguish the novel isolates from the three closely related genera. Therefore, it is concluded that strains L10T, L108 and CIP I-2052 represent a new genus and novel species for which the name Aquincola tertiaricarbonis gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is strain L10T (=DSM 18512T=CIP 109243T).
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MESH Headings
- Aerobiosis
- Bacterial Typing Techniques
- Base Composition
- Betaproteobacteria/classification
- Betaproteobacteria/isolation & purification
- Betaproteobacteria/physiology
- Biodegradation, Environmental
- Cytoplasmic Granules/physiology
- DNA, Bacterial/chemistry
- DNA, Bacterial/genetics
- DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry
- DNA, Ribosomal/genetics
- Fimbriae, Bacterial
- Flagella/physiology
- Genes, rRNA
- Hydroxybutyrates/metabolism
- Lipids/analysis
- Locomotion
- Metabolic Networks and Pathways
- Methyl Ethers/metabolism
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Nucleic Acid Hybridization
- Phylogeny
- Polyesters/metabolism
- RNA, Bacterial/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
- Soil Microbiology
- Ubiquinone/analysis
- Water Microbiology
- tert-Butyl Alcohol/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Lechner
- Institut für Mikrobiologie, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, D-06099 Halle, Germany
| | - Danny Brodkorb
- Institut für Mikrobiologie, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, D-06099 Halle, Germany
| | - Roland Geyer
- Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle, Department Umweltmikrobiologie, Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerd Hause
- Biozentrum, Weinbergweg 22, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, D-06099 Halle, Germany
| | - Claus Härtig
- Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle, Department Umweltmikrobiologie, Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Georg Auling
- Institut für Mikrobiologie, Universität Hannover, Schneiderberg 50, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Pascal Piveteau
- Institute Français du Pétrole, 1-4, avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852 Rueil-Malmaison, France
| | - Roland H Müller
- Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle, Department Umweltmikrobiologie, Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thore Rohwerder
- Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle, Department Umweltmikrobiologie, Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
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Müller RH, Rohwerder T, Harms H. Carbon conversion efficiency and limits of productive bacterial degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether and related compounds. Appl Environ Microbiol 2007; 73:1783-91. [PMID: 17220260 PMCID: PMC1828808 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01899-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The utilization of the fuel oxygenate methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and related compounds by microorganisms was investigated in a mainly theoretical study based on the Y(ATP) concept. Experiments were conducted to derive realistic maintenance coefficients and K(s) values needed to calculate substrate fluxes available for biomass production. Aerobic substrate conversion and biomass synthesis were calculated for different putative pathways. The results suggest that MTBE is an effective heterotrophic substrate that can sustain growth yields of up to 0.87 g g(-1), which contradicts previous calculation results (N. Fortin et al., Environ. Microbiol. 3:407-416, 2001). Sufficient energy equivalents were generated in several of the potential assimilatory routes to incorporate carbon into biomass without the necessity to dissimilate additional substrate, efficient energy transduction provided. However, when a growth-related kinetic model was included, the limits of productive degradation became obvious. Depending on the maintenance coefficient m(s) and its associated biomass decay term b, growth-associated carbon conversion became strongly dependent on substrate fluxes. Due to slow degradation kinetics, the calculations predicted relatively high threshold concentrations, S(min), below which growth would not further be supported. S(min) strongly depended on the maximum growth rate mu(ma)(x), and b and was directly correlated with the half maximum rate-associated substrate concentration K(s), meaning that any effect impacting this parameter would also change S(min). The primary metabolic step, catalyzing the cleavage of the ether bond in MTBE, is likely to control the substrate flux in various strains. In addition, deficits in oxygen as an external factor and in reduction equivalents as a cellular variable in this reaction should further increase K(s) and S(min) for MTBE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland H Müller
- UFZ, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany.
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Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) to Characterise Degradation Pathways and to Quantify In-Situ Degradation of Fuel Oxygenates and Other Fuel-Derived Contaminants. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-72641-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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