Mineralization of phenanthrene by a Mycobacterium sp

Phenanthrene-degrading Sphingobium xenophagum are widely distributed in the western Pacific Ocean

Six phenanthrene-degrading bacteria were isolated from surface sea water sampled from the western Pacific Ocean. They were identified as Sphingobium xenophagum (formerly Sphingomonas xenophaga) based on morphological, biochemical, and chemical characteristics and 16S rRNA sequences. Salinity ranges for the growth of these isolates were broader than those of seven reported Sphingomonas strains isolated from soil, and the optimum NaCl concentration in the growth medium was higher than that for soil sphingomonads. These isolates also exhibited higher phenanthrene-degrading activity in briny conditions than that of a phenanthrene-degrading Sphingomonas strain isolated from soil. A DNA fragment carrying nah genes, which are encoded on the naphthalene-catabolic plasmid NAH of Pseudomonas putida PpG7, hybridised less strongly with the total DNA of all isolates. Certain genes for phenanthrene degradation were also preliminarily characterised in all isolates. This is the first demonstration that S. xenophagum strains, that are able to degrade phenanthrene, are widely distributed in marine environments, and the growth and phenanthrene-degrading activity of these strains are adapted to briny conditions. Results also suggest that genes for phenanthrene degradation, which are dissimilar to the nah genes, were also ubiquitously distributed in marine strains.

Aerobic bacteria degrading both n-alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons: an undervalued strategy for metabolic diversity and flexibility

Environmental pollution with petroleum toxic products has afflicted various ecosystems, causing devastating damage to natural habitats with serious economic implications. Some crude oil components may serve as growth substrates for microorganisms. A number of bacterial strains reveal metabolic capacities to biotransform various organic compounds. Some of the hydrocarbon degraders are highly biochemically specialized, while the others display a versatile metabolism and can utilize both saturated aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The extended catabolic profiles of the latter group have been subjected to systematic and complex studies relatively rarely thus far. Growing evidence shows that numerous bacteria produce broad biochemical activities towards different hydrocarbon types and such an enhanced metabolic potential can be found in many more species than the already well-known oil-degraders. These strains may play an important role in the removal of heterogeneous contamination. They are thus considered to be a promising solution in bioremediation applications. The main purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on aerobic bacteria involved in the mineralization or transformation of both n-alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons. Variant scientific approaches enabling to evaluate these features on biochemical as well as genetic levels are presented. The distribution of multidegradative capabilities between bacterial taxa is systematically shown and the possibility of simultaneous transformation of complex hydrocarbon mixtures is discussed. Bioinformatic analysis of the currently available genetic data is employed to enable generation of phylogenetic relationships between environmental strain isolates belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes. The study proves that the co-occurrence of genes responsible for concomitant metabolic bioconversion reactions of structurally-diverse hydrocarbons is not unique among various systematic groups.

The Role of fadD19 and echA19 in Sterol Side Chain Degradation by Mycobacterium smegmatis

Mycobacteria are able to degrade natural sterols and use them as a source of carbon and energy. Several genes which play an important role in cholesterol ring degradation have been described in Mycobacterium smegmatis. However, there are limited data describing the molecular mechanism of the aliphatic side chain degradation by Mycobacterium spp. In this paper, we analyzed the role of the echA19 and fadD19 genes in the degradation process of the side chain of cholesterol and β-sitosterol. We demonstrated that the M. smegmatis fadD19 and echA19 genes are not essential for viability. FadD19 is required in the initial step of the biodegradation of C-24 branched sterol side chains in Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155, but not those carrying a straight chain like cholesterol. Additionally, we have shown that echA19 is not essential in the degradation of either substrate. This is the first report, to our knowledge, on the molecular characterization of the genes playing an essential role in C-24 branched side chain sterol degradation in M. smegmatis mc²155.

Partitioning of phenanthrene into surfactant hemi-micelles on the bacterial cell surface and implications for surfactant-enhanced biodegradation

Recent studies have suggested that the ability of a surfactant to enhance the bioavailability of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOC) requires the formation of surfactant hemi-micelles on the bacterial cell surface and subsequent partitioning of HOC into the hemi-micelles. However, the studies did not provide direct evidence of HOC partitioning into surfactant hemi-micelles on the bacterial cell surface. In this study, direct evidence is provided to demonstrate that the nonionic surfactant Brij 30 forms hemi-micelles on the bacterial cell surface and that phenanthrene sorption at the bacterial surface is enhanced by the surfactant. These results are in agreement with the current theory describing surfactant-enhanced HOC bioavailability. This enhanced bioavailability is put into context with microbial kinetics and system partitioning processes, and it is demonstrated that the addition of surfactant can enhance, have no effect, or inhibit HOC biodegradation depending upon surfactant concentration and microbial growth rate. Understanding these non-linear relationships between surfactant-enhanced HOC bioavailability, biodegradation kinetics, and system partitioning will assist in the design and implementation of surfactant-enhanced bioremediation programs.

Degradation and transformation of anthracene by white-rot fungus Armillaria sp. F022

Characterization of anthracene metabolites produced by Armillaria sp. F022 was performed in the enzymatic system. The fungal culture was conducted in 100-mL Erlenmeyer flask containing mineral salt broth medium (20 mL) and incubated at 120 rpm for 5-30 days. The culture broth was then centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 45 min to obtain the extract. Additionally, the effect of glucose consumption, laccase activity, and biomass production in degradation of anthracene were also investigated. Approximately, 92 % of the initial concentration of anthracene was degraded within 30 days of incubation. Dynamic pattern of the biomass production was affected the laccase activity during the experiment. The biomass of the fungus increased with the increasing of laccase activity. The isolation and characterization of four metabolites indicated that the structure of anthracene was transformed by Armillaria sp. F022 in two routes. First, anthracene was oxidized to form anthraquinone, benzoic acid, and second, converted into other products, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid and coumarin. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis also revealed that the molecular structure of anthracene was transformed by the action of the enzyme, generating a series of intermediate compounds such as anthraquinone by ring-cleavage reactions. The ligninolytic enzymes expecially free extracellular laccase played an important role in the transformation of anthracene during degradation period.

Identification of metabolites from benzo[a]pyrene oxidation by ligninolytic enzymes of Polyporus sp. S133

The biodegradation of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) by using Polyporus sp. S133, a white-rot fungus isolated from oil-contaminated soil was investigated. Approximately 73% of the initial concentration of BaP was degraded within 30 d of incubation. The isolation and characterization of 3 metabolites by thin layer chromatography, column chromatography, and UV-vis spectrophotometry in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, indicated that Polyporus sp. S133 transformed BaP to BaP-1,6-quinone. This quinone was further degraded in 2 ways. First, BaP-1,6-quinone was decarboxylated and oxidized to form coumarin, which was then hydroxylated to hydroxycoumarin, and finally to hydroxyphenyl acetic acid by addition of an epoxide group. Second, Polyporus sp. S133 converted BaP-1,6-quinone into a major product, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. During degradation, free extracellular laccase was detected with reduced activity of lignin peroxidase, manganese-dependent peroxidase and 2,3-dioxygenase, suggesting that laccase and 1,2-dioxygenase might play an important role in the transformation of PAHs compounds.

Biodegradation and metabolite transformation of pyrene by basidiomycetes fungal isolate Armillaria sp. F022

Armillaria sp. F022 is a white-rot fungus isolated from a tropical rain forest in Indonesia that is capable of utilizing pyrene as a source of carbon and energy. Enzymes production during the degradation process by Armillaria sp. F022 was certainly related to the increase in biomass. In the first week after incubation, the growth rate rapidly increased, but enzyme production decreased. After 7 days of incubation, rapid growth was observed, whereas, the enzymes were produced only after a good amount of biomass was generated. About 63 % of pyrene underwent biodegradation when incubated with this fungus in a liquid medium on a rotary shaker (120 rpm, 25 °C) for 30 days; during this period, pyrene was transformed to five stable metabolic products. These metabolites were extracted in ethyl acetate, isolated by column chromatography, and then identified using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 1-Hydroxypyrene was directly identified by GC-MS, while 4-phenanthroic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, phthalic acid, and protocatechuic acid were identified to be present in their derivatized forms (methylated forms and silylated forms). Protocatechuic acid was the end product of pyrene degradation by Armillaria sp. F022. Dynamic profiles of two key enzymes, namely laccase and 1,2-dioxygenase, were revealed during the degradation process, and the results indicated the presence of a complicated mechanism in the regulation of pyrene-degrading enzymes. In conclusion, Armillaria sp. F022 is a white-rot fungus with potential for application in the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as pyrene in the environment.

Biodegradation of DDT by stimulation of indigenous microbial populations in soil with cosubstrates

Stimulation of native microbial populations in soil by the addition of small amounts of secondary carbon sources (cosubstrates) and its effect on the degradation and theoretical mineralization of DDT [l,l,l-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] and its main metabolites, DDD and DDE, were evaluated. Microbial activity in soil polluted with DDT, DDE and DDD was increased by the presence of phenol, hexane and toluene as cosubstrates. The consumption of DDT was increased from 23 % in a control (without cosubstrate) to 67, 59 and 56 % in the presence of phenol, hexane and toluene, respectively. DDE was completely removed in all cases, and DDD removal was enhanced from 67 % in the control to ~86 % with all substrates tested, except for acetic acid and glucose substrates. In the latter cases, DDD removal was either inhibited or unchanged from the control. The optimal amount of added cosubstrate was observed to be between 0.64 and 2.6 mg C [Formula: see text]. The CO2 produced was higher than the theoretical amount for complete cosubstrate mineralization indicating possible mineralization of DDT and its metabolites. Bacterial communities were evaluated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, which indicated that native soil and the untreated control presented a low bacterial diversity. The detected bacteria were related to soil microorganisms and microorganisms with known biodegradative potential. In the presence of toluene a bacterium related to Azoarcus, a genus that includes species capable of growing at the expense of aromatic compounds such as toluene and halobenzoates under denitrifying conditions, was detected.

Fate and cometabolic degradation of benzo[a]pyrene by white-rot fungus Armillaria sp. F022

Armillaria sp. F022, a white-rot fungus isolated from a tropical rain forest in Samarinda, Indonesia, was used to biodegrade benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Transformation of BaP, a 5-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), by Armillaria sp. F022, which uses BaP as a source of carbon and energy, was investigated. However, biodegradation of BaP has been limited because of its bioavailability and toxicity. Five cosubstrates were selected as cometabolic carbon and energy sources. The results showed that Armillaria sp. F022 used BaP with and without cosubstrates. A 2.5-fold increase in degradation efficiency was achieved after addition of glucose. Meanwhile, the use of glucose as a cosubstrate could significantly stimulate laccase production compared with other cosubstrates and not using any cosubstrate. The metabolic pathway was elucidated by identifying metabolites, conducting biotransformation studies, and monitoring enzyme activities in cell-free extracts. The degradation mechanism was determined through the identification of several metabolites: benzo[a]pyrene-1,6-quinone, 1-hydroxy-2-benzoic acid, and benzoic acid.

Identification of naphthalene metabolism by white rot fungus Armillaria sp. F022

Armillaria sp. F022, a white rot fungus isolated from tropical rain forest (Samarinda, Indonesia) was used to biodegrade naphthalene in cultured medium. Transformation of naphthalene by Armillaria sp. F022 which is able to use naphthalene, a two ring-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) as a source of carbon and energy was investigated. The metabolic pathway was elucidated by identifying metabolites, biotransformation studies and monitoring enzyme activities in cell-free extracts. The identification of metabolites suggests that Armillaria sp. F022 initiates its attack on naphthalene by dioxygenation at its C-1 and C-4 positions to give 1,4-naphthoquinone. The intermediate 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and salicylic acid, and the characteristic of the meta-cleavage of the resulting diol were identified in the long-term incubation. A part from typical metabolites of naphthalene degradation known from mesophiles, benzoic acid was identified as the next intermediate for the naphthalene pathway of this Armillaria sp. F022. Neither phthalic acid, catechol and cis,cis-muconic acid metabolites were detected in culture extracts. Several enzymes (manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, laccase, 1,2-dioxygenase and 2,3-dioxygenase) produced by Armillaria sp. F022 were detected during the incubation.

The changing pattern of nontuberculous mycobacterial disease

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are human opportunistic pathogens whose source of infection is the environment. These include both slow-growing (eg, Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium avium) and rapid-growing (eg, Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium fortuitum) species. Transmission is through ingestion or inhalation of water, particulate matter or aerosols, or through trauma. The historic presentation of pulmonary disease in older individuals with predisposing lung conditions and in children has been changing. Pulmonary disease in elderly individuals who lack the classic predisposing lung conditions is increasing. Pulmonary disease and hypersensitivity pneumonitis have been linked with occupational or home exposures to nontuberculous mycobacteria. There has been a shift from Mycobacterium scrofulaceum to M avium in children with cervical lymphadenitis. Further, individuals who are immunosuppressed due to therapy or HIV-infection are at a greatly increased risk for nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. The changing pattern of nontuberculous mycobacterial disease is due in part to the ability of these pathogens to survive and proliferate in habitats that they share with humans, such as drinking water. The advent of an aging population and an increase in the proportion of immunosuppressed individuals suggest that the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial disease will increase.

Role of oxygenases in guiding diverse metabolic pathways in the bacterial degradation of low-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a review

Widespread environmental pollution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) poses an immense risk to the environment. Bacteria-mediated attenuation has a great potential for the restoration of PAH-contaminated environment in an ecologically accepted manner. Bacterial degradation of PAHs has been extensively studied and mining of biodiversity is ever expanding the biodegradative potentials with intelligent manipulation of catabolic genes and adaptive evolution to generate multiple catabolic pathways. The present review of bacterial degradation of low-molecular-weight (LMW) PAHs describes the current knowledge about the diverse metabolic pathways depicting novel metabolites, enzyme-substrate/metabolite relationships, the role of oxygenases and their distribution in phylogenetically diverse bacterial species.

Nature of bioavailability of DNA-intercalated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to Sphingomonas sp

The nature of bioavailability of DNA-intercalated PAHs in aqueous solution was investigated. The degradability of different PAHs including anthracene, phenanthrene and pyrene by Sphingomonas sp. was not inhibited even at a high DNA concentration of 2%. The DNA was stable against the PAH-degrader as indicated by the unchanged electrophoresis gel chromatograms after treatment. This shows that a structural change in the polymer is not necessary for the release of PAHs. Partitioning experiments using phenanthrene as a model PAH illustrated the presence of an initial passive uptake by autoclaved cells. Subsequent intracellular degradation became apparent from parallel data with live cells. Phenanthrene transfer from the DNA was diffusion-controlled and the exit of this molecule from their intercalation sites is favored in lieu of the presence of stronger hydrophobic binding sites in the cell membrane.

Biosurfactant production by a soil pseudomonas strain growing on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The capacity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-utilizing bacteria to produce biosurfactants was investigated. Twenty-three bacteria isolated from a soil contaminated with petroleum wastes were able to form clearing zones on mineral salt agar plates sprayed with solutions of PAHs. Naphthalene and phenanthrene were utilized as sole substrates. Biosurfactant production was detected by surface tension lowering and emulsifying activities from 10 of these strains grown in an iron-limited salt medium supplemented with high concentrations of dextrose or mannitol, as well as with naphthalene or phenanthrene. Glycolipid determinations showed that in cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 19SJ on naphthalene, the maximal productivity of biosurfactants was delayed compared with that in cultures grown on mannitol. However, when small amounts of biosurfactants and naphthalene degradation intermediates were present at the onset of the cultivation, the delay was markedly shortened. Production of biosurfactants was accompanied by an increase in the aqueous concentration of naphthalene, indicating that the microorganism was promoting the solubility of its substrate. Detectable amounts of glycolipids were also produced on phenanthrene. This is the first report of biosurfactant production resulting from PAH metabolism.

Effects of PAH biodegradation in the presence of non-ionic surfactants on a bacterial community and its exoenzymatic activity

The influence of two non-ionic surfactants (TX-100 and Brij 35) on a bacterial community and its exoenzymatic activity during polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene) biodegradation was evaluated in this study. The result indicated the addition of the non-ionic surfactants altered the profiles of the microbial populations and produced exoenzymes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization found that, as PAH biodegradation progressed in the presence of non-ionic surfactant, the proportion of Bacteria presents increased significantly from the range 54.79%-57.00% to 64.17%-73.4% and there was parallel decrease in Archaea. The trends in five phyla/subclass of Bacteria, namely alpha -, beta -, or gamma -Proteobacteria, HGC bacteria and LGC bacteria, were influenced significantly by the addition of Brij 35 as either monomers or micelles. A change was ascribed to different cohesive energy density (CED) value between the PAH and surfactant. The percentage of genera Pseudomonas 4.76%-12.67%, which included two signals, namely most true Pseudomonas spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were dominant during biodegradation. For exoenzymaztic activities, trends were identified by principle component analysis of the API ZYM enzymatic activity dataset. The additions of non-ionic surfactant were identified strong activities of three esterase (esterase, esterase lipase and lipase), alpha -glucosidase, beta -glucosidase, leucine arylamidase and acid phosphatase during PAH biodegradation. These enzymes are selected as possible organic pollutant indicators when the in situ bioremediation was monitored in the presence of non-ionic surfactant additives.

Characterization of phenanthrene degradation by strain polyporus sp. S133

Polyporus sp. S133, a fungus collected from contaminated soil, was used to degrade phenanthrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, in a mineral salt broth liquid culture. A maximal degradation rate (92%) was obtained when Polyporus sp. S133 was cultured for 30 days with agitation at 120 r/min, as compared to 44% degradation in non-agitated cultures. Furthermore, the degradation was affected by the addition of surfactants. Tween 80 was the most suitable surfactant for the degradation of phenanthrene by Polyporus sp. S133. The degradation rate increased as the amount of Tween 80 added increased. The rate in agitated cultures was about 2 times that in non-agitated cultures. The mechanism of degradation was determined through the identification of metabolites; 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, 2,2'-diphenic acid, phthalic acid, and protocatechuic acid. Several enzymes (manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, laccase, 1,2-dioxygenase and 2,3-dioxygenase) produced by Polyporus sp. S133 were detected during the incubation. The highest level of activity was shown by 1,2-dioxygenase (187.4 U/L) after 20 days of culture.

Bioavailability of xenobiotics in the soil environment

It is often presumed that all chemicals in soil are available to microorganisms, plant roots, and soil fauna via dermal exposure. Subsequent bioaccumulation through the food chain may then result in exposure to higher organisms. Using the presumption of total availability, national governments reduce environmental threshold levels of regulated chemicals by increasing guideline safety margins. However, evidence shows that chemical residues in the soil environment are not always bioavailable. Hence, actual chemical exposure levels of biota are much less than concentrations present in soil would suggest. Because "bioavailability" conveys meaning that combines implications of chemical sol persistency, efficacy, and toxicity, insights on the magnitude of a chemicals soil bioavailability is valuable. however, soil bioavailability of chemicals is a complex topic, and is affected by chemical properties, soil properties, species exposed, climate, and interaction processes. In this review, the state-of-art scientific basis for bioavailability is addressed. Key points covered include: definition, factors affecting bioavailability, equations governing key transport and distributive kinetics, and primary methods for estimating bioavailability. Primary transport mechanisms in living organisms, critical to an understanding of bioavailability, also presage the review. Transport of lipophilic chemicals occurs mainly by passive diffusion for all microorganisms, plants, and soil fauna. Therefore, the distribution of a chemical between organisms and soil (bioavailable proportion) follows partition equilibrium theory. However, a chemical's bioavailability does not always follow partition equilibrium theory because of other interactions with soil, such as soil sorption, hysteretic desorption, effects of surfactants in pore water, formation of "bound residue", etc. Bioassays for estimating chemical bioavailability have been introduced with several targeted endpoints: microbial degradation, uptake by higher plants and soil fauna, and toxicity to organisms. However, there bioassays are often time consuming and laborious. Thus, mild extraction methods have been employed to estimate bioavailability of chemicals. Mild methods include sequential extraction using alcohols, hexane/water, supercritical fluids (carbon dioxide), aqueous hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin extraction, polymeric TENAX beads extraction, and poly(dimethylsiloxane)-coated solid-phase microextraction. It should be noted that mild extraction methods may predict bioavailability at the moment when measurements are carried out, but not the changes in bioavailability that may occur over time. Simulation models are needed to estimate better bioavailability as a function of exposure time. In the past, models have progressed significantly by addressing each group of organisms separately: microbial degradation, plant uptake via evapotranspiration processes, and uptake of soil fauna in their habitat. This approach has been used primarily because of wide differences in the physiology and behaviors of such disparate organisms. However, improvement of models is badly needed, Particularly to describe uptake processes by plant and animals that impinge on bioavailability. Although models are required to describe all important factors that may affect chemical bioavailability to individual organisms over time (e.g., sorption/desorption to soil/sediment, volatilization, dissolution, aging, "bound residue" formation, biodegradation, etc.), these models should be simplified, when possible, to limit the number of parameters to the practical minimum. Although significant scientific progress has been made in understanding the complexities in specific methodologies dedicated to determining bioavailability, no method has yet emerged to characterized bioavailability across a wide range of chemicals, organisms, and soils/sediments. The primary aim in studying bioavailability is to define options for addressing bioremediation or environmental toxicity (risk assessment), and that is unlikely to change. Because of its importance in estimating research is needed to more comprehensively address the key environmental issue of "bioavailability of chemicals in soil/sediment."

The biology of environmental mycobacteria

Although the environmental mycobacteria are slow growing relative to other microorganisms in water and soil which would suggest that they are poor competitors, compensating factors permit survival, growth and persistence in natural and human-engineered environments. Factors such as the hydrophobic, lipid-rich impermeable envelope, biofilm formation, acid resistance, anaerobic survival and metabolism of recalcitrant carbon compounds permit survival and growth of the environmental mycobacteria in a wide range of natural and human-engineered habitats. High numbers of environmental mycobacteria are found in coastal swamps and estuaries and boreal, peat-rich forest soils and waters. The hydrophobic surface results in concentration of the environmental mycobacteria at interfaces (air-water and surface-water) and in aerosolized droplets ejected from water. The survival and growth in protozoa and amoebae permit environmental mycobacteria to persist in habitats subject to predation and likely led to survival and growth in phagocytic cells of animals. Finally, slow growth allows time for mycobacterial cells to adapt to changing conditions before loss of viability.

Enhanced biodegradation of hydrocarbons in soil by microbial biosurfactant, sophorolipid

Effectiveness of a microbial biosurfactant, sophorolipid, was evaluated in washing and biodegradation of model hydrocarbons and crude oil in soil. Thirty percent of 2-methylnaphthalene was effectively washed and solubilized with 10 g/L of sophorolipid with similar or higher efficiency than that of commercial surfactants. Addition of sophorolipid in soil increased biodegradation of model compounds: 2-methylnaphthalene (95% degradation in 2 days), hexadecane (97%, 6 days), and pristane (85%, 6 days). Also, effective biodegradation method of crude oil in soil was observed by the addition of sophorolipid, resulting in 80% biodegradation of saturates and 72% aromatics in 8 weeks. These results showed the potentials of the microbial biosurfactant, sophorolipid, as an effective surfactant for soil washing and as an in situ biodegradation enhancer.

Surfactant-mediated Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic environmental pollutants that are known or suspected carcinogens or mutagens. Bioremediation has been used as a general way to eliminate them from the contaminated sites or aquifers, but their biodegradation is rather limited due to their low bioavailability because of their sparingly soluble nature. Surfactant-mediated biodegradation is a promising alternative. The presence of surfactants can increase the solubility of PAHs and hence potentially increase their bioavailability. However, inconclusive results have been reported on the effects of surfactant on the biodegradation of PAHs. In this work, surfactant-mediated biodegradation of PAHs is reviewed.

Bacterial degradation of aromatic compounds

Aromatic compounds are among the most prevalent and persistent pollutants in the environment. Petroleum-contaminated soil and sediment commonly contain a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatics. Aromatics derived from industrial activities often have functional groups such as alkyls, halogens and nitro groups. Biodegradation is a major mechanism of removal of organic pollutants from a contaminated site. This review focuses on bacterial degradation pathways of selected aromatic compounds. Catabolic pathways of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene are described in detail. Bacterial catabolism of the heterocycles dibenzofuran, carbazole, dibenzothiophene, and dibenzodioxin is discussed. Bacterial catabolism of alkylated PAHs is summarized, followed by a brief discussion of proteomics and metabolomics as powerful tools for elucidation of biodegradation mechanisms.

Treatment of PAHs in contaminated soil by extraction with aqueous DNA followed by biodegradation with a pure culture of Sphingomonas sp

The biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aqueous deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) solution from contaminated soil washing was investigated. Initial data with a model effluent consisting of anthracene, phenanthrene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene that were individually dissolved in 1% aqueous DNA solution confirmed their positive degradation by Sphingomonas sp. at around 10(8)CFU mL(-1) initial cell loading. For anthracene and phenanthrene, complete removal was achieved within 1h treatment. Degradation of pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene took a relatively longer time of a few days and weeks, respectively. DNA-dissolved PAHs were also degraded relatively faster than PAH crystals in aqueous medium to suggest that the binding of the PAHs in the polymer does not pose serious constraint to bacterial uptake. The DNA was stable against the PAH-degrading bacteria. Parallel experiments with actual DNA solutions obtained during pyrene extraction from an artificially spiked soil also showed similar results. Close to 100% pyrene degradation was achieved after 1d treatment. With its chemical stability, the cell-treated DNA was re-used up to four cycles without a considerable decline in extraction performance.

Surfactant-enhanced remediation of organic contaminated soil and water

Surfactant based remediation technologies for organic contaminated soil and water (groundwater or surface water) is of increasing importance recently. Surfactants are used to dramatically expedite the process, which in turn, may reduce the treatment time of a site compared to use of water alone. In fact, among the various available remediation technologies for organic contaminated sites, surfactant based process is one of the most innovative technologies. To enhance the application of surfactant based technologies for remediation of organic contaminated sites, it is very important to have a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in this process. This paper will provide an overview of the recent developments in the area of surfactant enhanced soil and groundwater remediation processes, focusing on (i) surfactant adsorption on soil, (ii) micellar solubilization of organic hydrocarbons, (iii) supersolubilization, (iv) density modified displacement, (v) degradation of organic hydrocarbon in presence surfactants, (vi) partitioning of surfactants onto soil and liquid organic phase, (vii) partitioning of contaminants onto soil, and (viii) removal of organics from soil in presence of surfactants. Surfactant adsorption on soil and/or sediment is an important step in this process as it results in surfactant loss reduced the availability of the surfactants for solubilization. At the same time, adsorbed surfactants will retained in the soil matrix, and may create other environmental problem. The biosurfactants are become promising in this application due to their environmentally friendly nature, nontoxic, low adsorption on to soil, and good solubilization efficiency. Effects of different parameters like the effect of electrolyte, pH, soil mineral and organic content, soil composition etc. on surfactant adsorption are discussed here. Micellar solubilization is also an important step for removal of organic contaminants from the soil matrix, especially for low aqueous solubility organic contaminants. Influences of different parameters such as single and mixed surfactant system, hydrophilic and hydrophobic chain length, HLB value, temperature, electrolyte, surfactant type that are very important in micellar solubilization are reviewed here. Microemulsion systems show higher capacity of organic hydrocarbons solubilization than the normal micellar system. In the case of biodegradation of organic hydrocarbons, the rate is very slow due to low water solubility and dissolution rate but the presence of surfactants may increase the bioavailability of hydrophobic compounds by solubilization and hence increases the degradation rate. In some cases the presence of it also reduces the rate. In addition to fundamental studies, some laboratory and field studies on removal of organics from contaminated soil are also reviewed to show the applicability of this technology.

Joint influence of surfactants and humic matter on PAH solubility. Are mixed micelles formed?

Mobilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by surfactants, present at contaminated sites or deliberately introduced for remediation purposes, is inevitably associated with the influence of humic substances, which are ubiquitous in natural systems. Therefore, the solubilizing effects of anthropogenic and natural amphiphiles must be considered in their combined action since synergistic or antagonistic effects may be expected, for instance, as a consequence of mixed micellization. In this paper, solubilization of (14)C-labeled pyrene in single-component and mixed solutions of surfactants and humic acid (coal-derived) was investigated up to the micellar concentration range. At low concentrations, antagonistic effects were observed for systems with cationic as well as anionic surfactants. Solubility enhancements in the presence of humic acid were canceled on addition of a cationic surfactant (DTAB) since charge compensation at humic colloids entailed precipitation. Solubility was also found to be decreased in the presence of an anionic surfactant (SDS), which was attributed to a competitive effect in respect of pyrene-humic interaction. This explanation is based on octanol-water partitioning experiments with radiolabeled humic acid, yielding evidence of different interaction modes between humic colloids and cationic/anionic surfactants. At higher concentrations, the effects of humic acid and SDS were found to be additive. Thus, a formation of mixed micelles is very unlikely, which was confirmed by size exclusion chromatography of mixed systems. It can be concluded that remediation measures on the basis of micellar solubilization are not significantly affected by the presence of natural amphiphilic compounds.

A novel degradation pathway in the assimilation of phenanthrene by Staphylococcus sp. strain PN/Y via meta-cleavage of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid: formation of trans-2,3-dioxo-5-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-pent-4-enoic acid

Staphylococcus sp. strain PN/Y, capable of utilizing phenanthrene as a sole source of carbon and energy, was isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil. In the degradation of phenanthrene by strain PN/Y, various metabolites, isolated and identified by a combination of chromatographic and spectrometric analyses, revealed a novel phenanthrene assimilation pathway involving 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid. Metabolism of phenanthrene was initiated by the dioxygenation on the 1,2-position of phenanthrene followed by meta-cleavage of phenanthrene-1,2-diol, leading to 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid, which was then processed via a novel meta-cleavage pathway, leading to the formation of trans-2,3-dioxo-5-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-pent-4-enoic acid and subsequently to salicylic acid. In the lower pathway, salicylic acid was transformed to catechol, which was then metabolized by catechol-2,3-dioxygenase to 2-hydroxymuconaldehyde acid, ultimately forming TCA cycle intermediates. The catabolic genes involved in phenanthrene degradation were found to be plasmid-encoded. This detailed study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolism by a Gram-positive species involving a unique ring-cleavage dioxygenase in a novel phenanthrene degradation pathway provides a new insight into the microbial degradation of PAHs.

Estimation of direct-contact fraction for phenanthrene in surfactant solutions by toxicity measurement

The toxicity of solutions containing nonionic surfactants Tween 80, Brij 35 and/or phenanthrene to Pseudomonas putida ATCC 17484 was investigated. The fraction of direct contact between micellar-phase phenanthrene and bacterial cell surface was estimated by using the toxicity data and a mathematical model. The mathematical model was used to calculate phenanthrene concentration in the micellar phase and aqueous pseudophase separately. The first-order death rate constant increased from 0.088+/-0.016 to 0.25+/-0.067 h(-1) when the phenanthrene concentration was increased from 0 to 5.17 x 10(-6)M (equals water solubility). The intrinsic toxicity of surfactant was higher in Brij 35 than in Tween 80. When phenanthrene concentration was increased to 9.7 x 10(-5)M in surfactant solutions, the death rate constant increased to 1.8 +/- 0.024 and 0.41 +/- 0.088 h(-1) for 8.4 x 10(-4)M Brij 35 and 7.6 x 10(-4)M Tween 80. The direct-contact fraction was 0.083 and 0.044 for Brij 35 and Tween 80, respectively, under these conditions using exponential model. The toxicity increased with increasing phenanthrene concentration at a fixed surfactant concentration. The toxicity decreased with increasing the surfactant concentration at a fixed phenanthrene concentration due to decreased contact of bacteria with phenanthrene present in the interior of surfactant micelles.

Occurrence and community composition of fast-growing Mycobacterium in soils contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Fast-growing mycobacteria are considered essential members of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) degrading bacterial community in PAH-contaminated soils. To study the natural role and diversity of the Mycobacterium community in contaminated soils, a culture-independent fingerprinting method based on PCR combined with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was developed. New PCR primers were selected which specifically targeted the 16S rRNA genes of fast-growing mycobacteria, and single-band DGGE profiles of amplicons were obtained for most Mycobacterium strains tested. Strains belonging to the same species revealed identical DGGE fingerprints, and in most cases, but not all, these fingerprints were typical for one species, allowing partial differentiation between species in a Mycobacterium community. Mycobacterium strains inoculated in soil were detected with a detection limit of 10(6) CFU g(-1) of soil using the new primer set as such, or approximately 10(2) CFU g(-1) in a nested PCR approach combining eubacterial and the Mycobacterium specific primers. Using the PCR-DGGE method, different species could be individually recognized in a mixed Mycobacterium community. This approach was used to rapidly assess the Mycobacterium community structure of several PAH-contaminated soils of diverse origin with different overall contamination profiles, pollution concentrations and chemical-physical soil characteristics. In the non-contaminated soil, most of the recovered 16SrRNA gene sequence did not match with previous described PAH-degrading Mycobacterium strains. In most PAH-contaminated soils, mycobacteria were detected which were closely related to fast-growing species such as Mycobacterium frederiksbergense and Mycobacterium austroafricanum, species that are known to include strains with PAH-degrading capacities. Interestingly, 16S rRNA genes related to M. tusciae sequences, a Mycobacterium species so far not reported in relation to biodegradation of PAHs, were detected in all contaminated soils.

Effect of the synthesized mycolic acid on the biodegradation of diesel oil by Gordonia nitida strain LE31

The dynamics of diesel oil biodegradation were previously investigated at initial substrate concentrations of 1000 to 20,000 ppm using Gordonia nitida isolated from wastewater. Following the gas chromatogram profiles of diesel oil degradation, diesel oil with concentrations of up to 15,000 ppm was efficiently degraded by this strain. At a concentrations of 20,000 ppm, however, the degradation by this strain was not effective. The enhancement of the biodegradation of diesel oi1 (at 15,000 and 20,000 ppm) by a synthetic mycolic acid biosurfactant (at 9, 90 and 900 ppm) was also investigated. In G. nitida inoculated cultures, the degradation of diesel oil was enhanced by the biosurfactant. For comparison, diesel oil degradation in batch incubations was measured after the addition of rhamnolipid and other surfactants. Synthetic mycolic acid enhanced the degradation to a greater extent than any other surfactant tested. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the degradation-enhancing property of synthetic mycolic acid was similar to that of rhamnolipid and Tween 80.

Regiospecific oxidation of naphthalene and fluorene by toluene monooxygenases and engineered toluene 4-monooxygenases of Pseudomonas mendocina KR1

The regiospecific oxidation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons naphthalene and fluorene was examined with Escherichia coli strains expressing wildtype toluene 4-monooxygenase (T4MO) from Pseudomonas mendocina KR1, toluene para-monooxygenase (TpMO) from Ralstonia pickettii PKO1, toluene ortho-monooxygenase (TOM) from Burkholderia cepacia G4, and toluene/ortho-xylene monooxygenase (ToMO) from P. stutzeri OX1. T4MO oxidized toluene (12.1+/-0.8 nmol/min/mg protein at 109 microM), naphthalene (7.7+/-1.5 nmol/min/mg protein at 5 mM), and fluorene (0.68+/-0.04 nmol/min/mg protein at 0.2 mM) faster than the other wildtype enzymes (2-22-fold) and produced a mixture of 1-naphthol (52%) and 2-naphthol (48%) from naphthalene, which was successively transformed to a mixture of 2,3-, 2,7-, 1,7-, and 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalenes (7%, 10%, 20%, and 63%, respectively). TOM and ToMO made 1,7-dihydroxynaphthalene from 1-naphthol, and ToMO made a mixture of 2,3-, 2,6-, 2,7-, and 1,7-dihydroxynaphthalene (26%, 22%, 1%, and 44%, respectively) from 2-naphthol. TOM had no activity on 2-naphthol, and T4MO had no activity on 1-naphthol. To take advantage of the high activity of wildtype T4MO but to increase its regiospecificity on naphthalene, seven engineered enzymes containing mutations in T4MO alpha hydroxylase TmoA were examined; the selectivity for 2-naphthol by T4MO I100A, I100S, and I100G was enhanced to 88-95%, and the selectivity for 1-naphthol was enhanced to 87% and 99% by T4MO I100L and G103S/A107G, respectively, while high oxidation rates were maintained except for G103S/A107G. Therefore, the regiospecificity for naphthalene oxidation was altered to practically pure 1-naphthol or 2-naphthol. All four wildtype monooxygenases were able to oxidize fluorene to different monohydroxylated products; T4MO oxidized fluorene successively to 3-hydroxyfluorene and 3,6-dihydroxyfluorene, which was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. TOM and its variant TomA3 V106A oxidize fluorene to a mixture of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hydroxyfluorene. This is the first report of using enzymes to synthesize 1-, 3-, and 4-hydroxyfluorene, and 3,6-dihydroxyfluorene from fluorene as well as 2-naphthol and 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene from naphthalene.

Functional analysis and annotation of the virulence plasmid pMUM001 from Mycobacterium ulcerans

The presence of a 174 kb plasmid called pMUM001 in Mycobacterium ulcerans, the first example of a mycobacterial plasmid encoding a virulence determinant, was recently reported. Over half of pMUM001 is devoted to six genes, three of which encode giant polyketide synthases (PKS) that produce mycolactone, an unusual cytotoxic lipid produced by M. ulcerans. In this present study the remaining 75 non-PKS-associated protein-coding sequences (CDS) are analysed and it is shown that pMUM001 is a low-copy-number element with a functional ori that supports replication in Mycobacterium marinum but not in the fast-growing mycobacteria Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium fortuitum. Sequence analyses revealed a highly mosaic plasmid gene structure that is reminiscent of other large plasmids. Insertion sequences (IS) and fragments of IS, some previously unreported, are interspersed among functional gene clusters, such as those genes involved in plasmid replication, the synthesis of mycolactone, and a potential phosphorelay signal transduction system. Among the IS present on pMUM001 were multiple copies of the high-copy-number M. ulcerans elements IS2404 and IS2606. No plasmid transfer systems were identified, suggesting that trans-acting factors are required for mobilization. The results presented here provide important insights into this unusual virulence plasmid from an emerging but neglected human pathogen.

Fungal communities in PAH-impacted sediments of Genoa-Voltri Harbour (NW Mediterranean, Italy)

Organic matter (in terms of carbohydrates and proteins), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and bacterial density were investigated in the sediments of three stations in Genoa-Voltri Harbour (NW Mediterranean), and related to the sedimentary fungal community. Sites were significantly different in all investigated parameters (ANOVA, p<0.05), and a sharp gradient of impact in the area was found. All the 81 strains of filamentous fungi isolated, belonging to 7 genera, appeared to be linked with PAHs (p<0.05; r=0.95), whereas bacterial density was positively correlated with organic matter content (p<0.05; r=0.98). Within the fungal community, strains with a high capability to degrade xenobiotics were found. Among the genera identified, Penicillium, Mucor and Cladosporium showed the highest frequency in the sites where the heaviest concentrations of PAHs were recorded. This study suggests that fungal communities are important for in situ degradation of xenobiotics in impacted sediments.

Solubilization and biodegradation of phenanthrene in mixed anionic-nonionic surfactant solutions

The effects of mixed anionic-nonionic surfactants, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) mixed with Tween80 (TW80), Triton X-100 (TX100) and Brij35 respectively on the solubility enhancement and biodegradation of phenanthrene in the aqueous phase were investigated. The efficiency of solubilization and biodegradation of phenanthrene in single-, and mixed-surfactant solutions were also compared. The critical micellar concentrations (CMCs) of mixed surfactants were sharply lower than that of sole SDS. The degree of solubility enhancements by the mixed surfactants followed the order of SDS-TW80>SDS-Brij35>SDS-TX100. Synergistic solubilization was observed in the mixed surfactant solutions, in which the molar ratios of SDS to nonionic surfactant were 1:0, 9:1, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7, 1:9 and 0:1 while the total concentration of surfactants was kept at 5.0 and 10.0 mM, respectively. SDS-Brij35 exhibited more significant degree of synergistic solubility enhancement for phenanthrene. The mixed surfactants exhibited no inhibitory effect on biodegradation of phenanthrene. Substantial amounts of the solubilized phenanthrene by mixed surfactants were completely degraded by phenanthrene-degrading microorganisms within 96 h. The results suggested that anionic-nonionic surfactants would improve the performance of remediation of PAH-contaminated soils.

Effect of Mycobacterium sp. strain CH1 and mycobacterium sp. strain CH2 on the degradation of four-ring creosote compounds

The influence of nutrients, Mycobacterium sp. strain CH1 and Mycobacterium sp. strain CH2 on the degradation of aged creosote hydrocarbon contaminants was investigated. The Mycobacterium sp. strain CH2 showed the highest positive influence on the degradation of three- and four-ring PAH compounds. The addition of Mycobacterium sp. strain CH1 had the second highest measured positive influence on the degradation of four-ring compounds. Soluble nitrogen and phosphorus also increased the degradation of aged creosote compounds in the contaminated soil. The addition of bacteria decreased the number of measured bacterial species, indicating competition for limited nutrients in the soil.

An evaluation of surfactant foam technology in remediation of contaminated soil

Soil contamination is notoriously difficult to treat because the contaminants are often tightly bound to the soil particles. Conventional remediation technologies are becoming less popular due to the high treatment costs. This paper gives a comprehensive overview and evaluation of an emerging promising alternative, surfactant foam technology. Different from other approaches, surfactant foam technology may be designed either to remove contaminants or/and simultaneously act as an augmentation for the existing technologies such as pump-and-treat systems and bioremediation processes to improve the contaminant removal efficiency and cost effectiveness. Encouraging results were achieved from laboratory and field demonstrations. However, as an innovative technology, there are many factors to be investigated with the future development. Special attention is paid to the selection of the most appropriate foaming surfactant and surfactant concentration, which are critical to the success of the implementation of the remediation process and have significant effects on the treatment costs. Moreover, development of predictive mathematical models in for future research is helpful to optimize the remediation process.

Mycobacterial aerosols and respiratory disease

Environmental opportunistic mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium avium, M. terrae, and the new species M. immunogenum, have been implicated in outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis or respiratory problems in a wide variety of settings. One common feature of the outbreaks has been exposure to aerosols. Aerosols have been generated from metalworking fluid during machining and grinding operations as well as from indoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and water-damaged buildings. Environmental opportunistic mycobacteria are present in drinking water, resistant to disinfection, able to provoke inflammatory reactions, and readily aerosolized. In all outbreaks, the water sources of the aerosols were disinfected. Disinfection may select for the predominance and growth of mycobacteria. Therefore, mycobacteria may be responsible, in part, for many outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other respiratory problems in the workplace and home.

Mycobacterial aerosols and respiratory disease

Environmental opportunistic mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium avium, M. terrae, and the new species M. immunogenum, have been implicated in outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis or respiratory problems in a wide variety of settings. One common feature of the outbreaks has been exposure to aerosols. Aerosols have been generated from metalworking fluid during machining and grinding operations as well as from indoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and water-damaged buildings. Environmental opportunistic mycobacteria are present in drinking water, resistant to disinfection, able to provoke inflammatory reactions, and readily aerosolized. In all outbreaks, the water sources of the aerosols were disinfected. Disinfection may select for the predominance and growth of mycobacteria. Therefore, mycobacteria may be responsible, in part, for many outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other respiratory problems in the workplace and home.

Initial characterization of new bacteria degrading high-molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons isolated from a 2-year enrichment in a two-liquid-phase culture system

AIMS

To characterize some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)-degrading microorganisms isolated from an enriched consortium degrading high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs in a two-liquid-phase (TLP) soil slurry bioreactor, and to determine the effect of low molecular weight (LMW) PAH on their growth and HMW PAH-degrading activity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Several microorganisms were isolated from a HMW-PAH (pyrene, chrysene, benzo[a]pyrene and perylene) degrading consortium enriched in TLP cultures using silicone oil as the organic phase. From 16S rRNA analysis, four isolates were identified as Mycobacterium gilvum B1 (99% identity),Bacillus pumilus B44 (99% identity), Microbacterium esteraromaticum B21 (98% identity), and to the genus Porphyrobacter B51 (96% identity). The two latter isolates have not previously been associated with PAH degradation. Isolate B51 grew strongly in the interfacial fraction in the presence of naphthalene vapours and phenanthrene compared with cultures without LMW PAHs. Benzo[a]pyrene was degraded in cultures containing a HMW PAH mixture but pyrene had no effect on its degradation. The growth of isolates B1 and B21 was improved in the aqueous phase than in the interfacial fraction for cultures with naphthalene vapours. Pyrene was required for benzo[a]pyrene degradation by isolate B1. For isolate B21, pyrene and chrysene were degraded only in cultures without naphthalene vapours.

CONCLUSION

Consortium enriched in a TLP culture is composed of microorganisms with different abilities to grow at the interface or in the aqueous phase according to the culture conditions and the PAH that are present. Naphthalene vapours increased the growth of the microorganisms in TLP cultures but did not stimulate the HMW PAH degradation.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

New HMW PAH-degrading microorganisms and a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in HMW PAH degradation in TLP cultures.

Degradation of phenanthrene and naphthalene by a Burkholderia species strain

Burkholderia sp. TNFYE-5 was isolated from soil for the ability to grow on phenanthrene as sole carbon and energy source. Unlike most other phenanthrene-degrading bacteria, TNFYE-5 was unable to grow on naphthalene. Growth substrate range experiments coupled with the ring-cleavage enzyme assay data suggest that TNFYE-5 initially metabolizes phenanthrene to 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoate with subsequent degradation through the phthalate and protocatechuate and beta-ketoadipate pathway. A metabolite in the degradation of naphthalene by TNFYE-5 was isolated by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and was identified as salicylate by UV-visible spectral and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Thus, the inability to degrade salicylate is apparently one major reason for the incapability of TNFYE-5 to grow on naphthalene.

Biodegradation of anthracene in the roots and growth substrate of poplar cuttings

Following their exposure to anthracene, the roots of Populus nigra L. Loenen showed traces of 9 substances classed as products of biodegradation. The main substances detected were phthalic acid and 9,10-anthraquinone, followed by hydroxyanthracene and methoxyanthracene and five other compounds which could not be identified. Due to the relatively low concentration of degradation products found in the roots, further degradation to lower molecular compounds are discussed. The presence of 9,10-anthraquinone as the main product of the degradation of anthracene was also evident in the control tests with unplanted sandy substrate, although the content was higher in the planted series of tests. As a non-sterile approach was chosen, it may be assumed that a microbial degradation for 9,10-anthraquinone took place in the control series. However, it is difficult to differentiate clearly between a microbial degradation of anthracene in the substrate and metabolization in the roots due in part to the absence of specific degradation products in the various reaction areas.

Influence of surfactants on solubilization and fungal degradation of fluorene

Eighteen fungal strains were tested in toxicity assays with surfactants in order to select surfactants and strains tolerant to surfactants for degradation assays. Two nonionic surfactants were used, an alkylphenol ethoxylate, Triton X-100, a sorbitan ester, Tween 80 and an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate. Solubilization and biodegradation tests were conducted in liquid medium batch; fluorene was quantified by HPLC. Results showed the enhancement of fluorene solubilization by the three surfactants, good tolerance of nonionic surfactants by the fungal strains and the enhancement of the biodegradation of fluorene by Doratomyces stemonitis (46-62%) and Penicillium chrysogenum (28-61%) in the presence of Tween 80 (0.324 mM) after 2 days.