Bioremediation of β-cypermethrin and 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde contaminated soils using Streptomyces aureus HP-S-01

Using laboratory and field experiments, the ability of Streptomyces aureus HP-S-01 to eliminate β-cypermethrin (β-CP) and its metabolite 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde (3-PBA) in soils was investigated. In the laboratory, 80.5% and 73.1% of the initial dose of β-CP and 3-PBA (50 mg kg⁻¹) was removed in sterilized soils within 10 days, respectively, while in the same period, disappearance rate of β-CP and 3-PBA in non-sterilized soils was higher and reached 87.8% and 79.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the disappearance process followed the first-order kinetics and the half-life (T _1/2) for β-CP and 3-PBA reduced by 20.3–52.9 and 133.7–186.8 days, respectively, as compared to the controls. The addition of sucrose to the soils enhanced the ability of strain HP-S-01 to eliminate β-CP and 3-PBA. Similar results were observed in the field experiments. The introduced strain HP-S-01 quickly adapted to the environment and rapidly removed β-CP and 3-PBA without any lag phases in the field experiments. Compared with the controls, 47.9% and 67.0% of applied dose of β-CP and 3-PBA was removed from the soils without extra carbon sources and 52.5% and 73.3% of β-CP and 3-PBA was eliminated in soils supplemented with sucrose within 10 days, respectively. Analysis of β-CP degradation products in soil indicated that the tested strain transform β-CP to 3-PBA and α-hydroxy-3-phenoxy-benzeneacetonitrile. However, both intermediates were transient and they disappeared after 10 days. Therefore, the selected actinomyces strain HP-S-01 is suitable for the efficient and rapid bioremediation of β-CP contaminated soils.     

Biodegradation of fenvalerate and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid by a novel Stenotrophomonas sp. strain ZS-S-01 and its use in bioremediation of contaminated soils

A bacterial strain ZS-S-01, newly isolated from activated sludge, could effectively degrade fenvalerate and its hydrolysis product 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA). Based on the morphology, physiological biochemical characteristics, and 16 S rDNA sequence, strain ZS-S-01 was identified as Stenotrophomonas sp. Strain ZS-S-01 could also degrade and utilize deltamethrin, beta-cypermethrin, beta-cyfluthrin, and cyhalothrin as substrates for growth. Strain ZS-S-01 was capable of degrading fenvalerate rapidly without a lag phase over a wide range of pH and temperature, even in the presence of other carbon sources, and metabolized it to yield 3-PBA, then completely degraded it. No persistent accumulative product was detected by HPLC and GC/MS analysis. Studies on biodegradation in various soils showed that strain ZS-S-01 demonstrated efficient degradation of fenvalerate and 3-PBA (both 50 mg·kg⁻¹) with a rate constant of 0.1418–0.3073 d⁻¹, and half-lives ranged from 2.3 to 4.9 days. Compared with the controls, the half-lives for fenvalerate and 3-PBA reduced by 16.9–156.3 days. These results highlight strain ZS-S-01 may have potential for use in bioremediation of pyrethroid-contaminated environment.     

Biodegradation of methyl parathion and p-nitrophenol by a newly isolated Agrobacterium sp. strain Yw12

Strain Yw12, isolated from activated sludge, could completely degrade and utilize methyl parathion as the sole carbon, phosphorus and energy sources for growth in the basic salt media. It could also completely degrade and utilize p-nitrophenol as the sole carbon and energy sources for growth in the minimal salt media. Phenotypic features, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequence showed that this strain belongs to the genus of Agrobacterium sp. Response surface methodology was used to optimize degradation conditions. Under its optimal degradation conditions, 50 mg l⁻¹ MP was completely degraded within 2 h by strain Yw12 and the degradation product PNP was also completely degraded within 6 h. Furthermore, strain Yw12 could also degrade phoxim, methamidophos, chlorpyrifos, carbofuran, deltamethrin and atrazine when provided as the sole carbon and energy sources. Enzymatic analysis revealed that the MP degrading enzyme of strain Yw12 is an intracellular enzyme and is expressed constitutively. These results indicated that strain Yw12 might be used as a potential and effective organophosphate pesticides degrader for bioremediation of contaminated sites.     

Pyrethroid-degrading Sphingobium sp. JZ-2 and the purification and characterization of a novel pyrethroid hydrolase

A pyrethroid-degrading bacterium strain JZ-2 was isolated from activated sludge treating pyrethroid-manufacturing wastewater. Based on the morphological, physiological and biochemical characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain was identified as Sphingobium sp. Strain JZ-2 was capable of degrading fenpropathrin, cypermethrin, permethrin, cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate and bifenthrin. This strain degraded fenpropathrin by hydrolysis of the carboxylester linkage to yield 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde and 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid. 3-Phenoxybenzaldehyde, 3-phenoxybenzoate, protocatechuate and catechol are the intermediates of fenpropathrin degradation. Protocatechuate and catechol were further oxidized by ortho-cleavage pathway. A novel pyrethroid hydrolase from cell-free extract was purified 108.5-fold to apparent homogeneity with a 10.2% overall recovery. It was a monomer with a molecular mass of 31 ± 1 kDa, a pI of 4.85. The optimal pH and temperature were 7.5 and 40 °C, respectively. No cofactors or coenzymes were required for the pyrethroid-hydrolysis activity. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by many irons (Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Zn²⁺), SDS, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and malathion.     

Biodegradation of synthetic pyrethroids by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ochrobactrum tritici</Emphasis> strain pyd-1

A synthetic pyrethroid (SP)-degrading bacterium, designated pyd-1, was isolated from SPcontaminated soil. Based on its phenotypic and genotypic properties, the strain was identified as Ochrobactrum tritici. Strain pyd-1 was able to degrade a wide range of SPs, and its degradation efficiencies were dependent on the molecular structure of the SP. Interestingly, the strain degraded cis- and trans-permethrin (cypermethrin) at nearly the same rate and possessed approximately equal hydrolysis activities toward the two enantiomers of fenpropathrin. These results suggest that different isomers of SPs are degraded with equal efficiency by strain pyd-1. We studied the metabolic pathway of fenpropathrin degradation in strain pyd-1 by metabolite identification and enzymatic analysis. Fenpropathrin is degraded by hydrolysis of the carboxylester linkage to yield 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid and 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde, which is converted to 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (PBA). PBA is further metabolized to 4-hydroxy-3-phenoxybenzoic acid (4-hydroxy-PBA). 4-Hydroxy-PBA is oxidized to protocatechuate and p-hydroquinone. Protocatechuate is further oxidized through an ortho-cleavage pathway, and p-hydroquinone is degraded via 1,2,4-benzenetriol.     

Studies revealing bioremediation potential of the strain Burkholderia sp. GB-01 for abamectin contaminated soils

Burkholderia sp. GB-01 strain was used to study different factors affecting its growth for inoculum production and then evaluated for abamectin degradation in soil for optimization under various conditions. The efficiency of abamectin degradation in soil by strain GB-01 was seen to be dependent on soil pH, temperature, initial abamectin concentration, and inoculum size along with inoculation frequency. Induction studies showed that abamectin depletion was faster when degrading cells were induced by pre-exposure to abamectin. Experiments performed with varying concentrations (2–160 mg Kg⁻¹) of abamectin-spiked soils showed that strain GB-01 could effectively degrade abamectin over the range of 2–40 mg Kg⁻¹. The doses used were higher than the recommended dose for an agricultural application of abamectin, taking in account the over-use or spill situations. A cell density of approximately 10⁸ viable cells g⁻¹ dry weight of soil was found to be suitable for bioremediation over a temperature range of 30–35°C and soil pH 7.5–8.5. This is the first report on bacterial degradation of abamectin in soil by a Burkholderia species, and our results indicated that this bacterium may be useful for efficient removal of abamectin from contaminated soils.     

Characterization of a strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas putida</Emphasis> isolated from agricultural soil that degrades cadusafos (an organophosphorus pesticide)

Bacteria capable of degrading the pesticide, cadusafos, were isolated from agricultural soil using an enrichment method. In this way, five distinct cadusafos-degrading strains of Pseudomonas putidia were isolated, and were characterized using morphological and biochemical analysis, as well as 16S rRNA sequencing. Strain PC1 exhibited the greatest cadusafos degradation rate and was consequently selected for further investigation. Degradation of cadusafos by strain PC1 was rapid at 20 and 37°C, but was greatly reduced (~1.5-fold) by the presence of carbon sources. Strain PC1 was able to effectively degrade cadusafos in sterilized soil using low inoculum levels. The maximum degradation rate of cadusafos (V _max ) was calculated as 1.1 mg l⁻¹ day⁻¹, and its saturation constant (K _s ) was determined as 2.5 mg l⁻¹. Bacteria such as strain PC1, that use cadusafos as a carbon source, could be employed for the bioremediation of sites contaminated with pesticides.     

Identification of the biochemical degradation pathway of triazophos and its intermediate in Diaphorobacter sp. TPD-1

Triazophos is one of the most widely used organophosphorus insecticides usually detectable in the environment. A bacterial strain, Diaphorobacter sp. TPD-1, capable of using triazophos and its intermediate, 1-phenyl-3-hydroxy-1,2,4-triazole (PHT), as its sole carbon sources for growth was isolated from a triazophos-contaminated soil in China. This strain could completely degrade 50 mg l⁻¹ triazophos and PHT to non-detectable level in 24 and 56 h, respectively. During PHT degradation, three metabolites were detected and identified based on tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis. Using this information, a biochemical degradation pathway of triazophos by Diaphorobacter sp. TPD-1 was proposed. The first step involved in the degradation of triazophos is the hydrolysis of the P–O ester bond of triazophos to form PHT and o,o-diethyl phosphorothioic acid, then the triazol ring of PHT is subsequently cleaved to form (E)-1-formyl-2-phenyldiazene. Subsequently, (E)-1-formyl-2-phenyldiazene is transformed to 2-phenylhydrazinecarboxylic acid by adding one molecular of H₂O. Finally, the carboxyl group of 2-phenylhydrazinecarboxylic acid is decarboxylated to form phenylhydrazine.     

Isolation of a Xanthobacter sp. degrading dichloromethane and characterization of the gene involved in the degradation

A bacterial strain able to degrade dichloromethane (DCM) as the sole carbon source was isolated from a wastewater treatment plant receiving domestic and pharmaceutical effluent. 16S rDNA studies revealed the strain to be a Xanthobacter sp. (strain TM1). The new isolated strain when grown aerobically on DCM showed Luong type growth kinetics, with μ_max of 0.094 h⁻¹ and S _m of 1,435 mg l⁻¹. Strain TM1 was able to degrade other aromatic and aliphatic halogenated compounds, such as halobenzoates, 2-chloroethanol and dichloroethane. The gene for DCM dehalogenase, which is the key enzyme in DCM degradation, was amplified through PCR reactions. Strain TM1 contains type A DCM dehalogenase (dcmAa), while no product could be obtained for type B dehalogense (dcmAb). The sequence was compared against 12 dcmAa from other DCM degrading strains and 98% or 99% similarity was observed with all other previously isolated DCM dehalogenase genes. This is the first time a Xanthobacter sp. is reported to degrade DCM.     

Effect of surfactants on pyrene degradation by Pseudomonas fluorescens 29L

The effect of surfactants on pyrene degradation in Pseudomonas fluorescens 29L was investigated. This strain produced 30.1 μM of rhamnolipid equivalents (RE) of biosurfactants on 50 mg of pyrene per liter of medium. The production of biosurfactants was significantly correlated with the water solubility (S _w) of the substrate and the growth rate on it. When chrysene, with a S _w of 2.8 × 10⁻³ mg per liter of water, was the carbon source, 13.1 μM of RE of biosurfactants were produced compared to 10.3 μM of RE of biosurfactants on acenaphthene with a S _w of 1.9 mg per liter of water. No biosurfactants were produced on salicylic acid, catechol, and citrate. All of the strain 29L mutants which grew on pyrene produced biosurfactants while among the mutants which grew on naphthalene, only 88.4% produced biosurfactants. The rhamnolipid mixture, JBR425, inhibited the growth of Strain 29L wild type (WT) and all of its mutants on pyrene. However, these mutants were able to grow in the presence of pyrene when the growth medium was supplemented with 10⁻⁶ mg of emulsan per milliliter of medium. This study implies biosurfactants are produced by Strain 29L as a physiological response to the hydrophobicity of pyrene. The combined use of indigenous biosurfactants and the added biosurfactant, emulsan, is a biotechnology to enhance pyrene degradation by Pseudomonas fluorescens 29L.     

Biodegradation of malathion by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brevibacillus</Emphasis> sp. strain KB2 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus cereus</Emphasis> strain PU

We report here the degradation of a pesticide, malathion, by Brevibacillus sp. strain KB2 and Bacillus cereus strain PU, isolated from soil samples collected from malathion contaminated field and an army firing range respectively. Both the strains were cultured in the presence of malathion under aerobic and energy-limiting conditions. Both strains grew well in the medium having malathion concentration up to 0.15%. Reverse phase HPLC–UV analysis indicated that Strain KB2 was able to degrade 72.20% of malaoxon (an analogue of malathion) and 36.22% of malathion, while strain PU degraded 87.40% of malaoxon and 49.31% of malathion, after 7 days of incubation. The metabolites mal-monocarboxylic acid and mal-dicarboxylic acid were identified by Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The factors affecting biodegradation efficiency were investigated and effect of malathion concentration on degradation rate was also determined. The strain was analyzed for carboxylesterase activity and maximum activity 210 ± 2.5 U ml⁻¹ and 270 U ± 2.7 ml⁻¹ was observed for strains KB2 and PU, respectively. Cloning and sequencing of putative malathion degrading carboxylesterase gene was done using primers based PCR approach.     

链霉菌HP-S-01降解高效氯氰菊酯的特性及其动力学

研究不同接菌量、温度、pH、装液量和农药初始浓度对链霉菌HP-S-01降解高效氯氰菊酯的影响。结果表明,在接菌量为0.6 g/L、28°C、pH 7.5和装液量为50 mL/250 mL三角瓶条件下培养3 d,该链霉菌对100 mg/L高效氯氰菊酯降解率达到96%以上。链霉菌HP-S-01还能明显降解高效氟氯氰菊酯、高效氯氟氰菊酯、右旋苯醚菊酯和胺菊酯等拟除虫菊酯农药,且降解过程符合一级动力学模型,降解半衰期分别为0.78、0.88、1.08和1.24 d。采用Andrews方程对链霉菌HP-S-01降解高效氯氰菊酯的过程进行拟合,其动力学参数为qmax=1.826 3 d?1,Ks=58.951 3 mg/L,Ki=359.378 2 mg/L,该链霉菌降解高效氯氰菊酯最佳的初始浓度为145.553 5 mg/L,试验数据与该动力学方程拟合较好。     

Isolation and characterization of a fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus</Emphasis> sp. strain F-3 capable of degrading alkali lignin

A fungus strain F-3 was selected from fungal strains isolated from forest soil in Dalian of China. It was identified as one Aspergillus sp. stain F-3 with its morphologic, cultural characteristics and high homology to the genus of rDNA sequence. The budges or thickened node-like structures are peculiar structures of hyphae of the strain. The fungus degraded 65% of alkali lignin (2,000 mg l⁻¹) after day 8 of incubation at 30°C at pH 7. The removal of colority was up to 100% at 8 days. The biodegradation of lignin by Aspergillus sp. F-3 favored initial pH 7.0. Excess acid or alkali conditions were not propitious to lignin decomposing. Addition of ammonium l-tartrate or glucose delayed or repressed biodegradation activities. During lignin degradation, manganese peroxidase (28.2 U l⁻¹) and laccase (3.5 U l⁻¹)activities were detected after day 7 of incubation. GC-MS analysis of biodegraded products showed strain F-3 could convert alkali lignin into small molecules or other utilizable products. Strain F-3 may co-culture with white rot fungus and decompose alkali lignin effectively.     

Biodegradation of ethanethiol in aqueous medium by a new <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lysinibacillus sphaericus</Emphasis> strain RG-1 isolated from activated sludge

In the present study, a new bacterial strain isolated from activated sludge has been identified as Lysinibacillus sphaericus based on its morphology, physiochemical properties, and the results of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence analysis. This new bacterial strain uses ethanethiol as both carbon source and energy source. The key factors for controlling the degradation efficiency of ethanethiol by this strain were found to be initial ethanethiol concentration, temperature, and pH value of solutions. Under the optimized conditions, as well as 4 mg l⁻¹ ethanethiol, 30°C, and pH = 7.0, almost 100% ethanethiol can be degraded within 96 h and sulfate as a final product was detected in aqueous medium. The degradation reaction of ethanethiol over this newly isolated strain can be described by pseudo first-order equation in which the maximum degradation rate constant K and the minimum half-life were respectively calculated to be 0.0308 h⁻¹ and 22.5 h under the optimal conditions.     

Biodegradation of Chlorpyrifos and Its Hydrolysis Product 3,5,6-Trichloro-2-Pyridinol by a New Fungal Strain Cladosporium cladosporioides Hu-01

Intensive use of chlorpyrifos has resulted in its ubiquitous presence as a contaminant in surface streams and soils. It is thus critically essential to develop bioremediation methods to degrade and eliminate this pollutant from environments. We present here that a new fungal strain Hu-01 with high chlorpyrifos-degradation activity was isolated and identified as Cladosporium cladosporioides based on the morphology and 5.8S rDNA gene analysis. Strain Hu-01 utilized 50 mg·L⁻¹ of chlorpyrifos as the sole carbon of source, and tolerated high concentration of chlorpyrifos up to 500 mg·L⁻¹. The optimum degradation conditions were determined to be 26.8°C and pH 6.5 based on the response surface methodology (RSM). Under these conditions, strain Hu-01 completely metabolized the supplemented chlorpyrifos (50 mg·L⁻¹) within 5 d. During the biodegradation process, transient accumulation of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) was observed. However, this intermediate product did not accumulate in the medium and disappeared quickly. No persistent accumulative metabolite was detected by gas chromatopraphy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis at the end of experiment. Furthermore, degradation kinetics of chlorpyrifos and TCP followed the first-order model. Compared to the non-inoculated controls, the half-lives (t _1/2) of chlorpyrifos and TCP significantly reduced by 688.0 and 986.9 h with the inoculum, respectively. The isolate harbors the metabolic pathway for the complete detoxification of chlorpyrifos and its hydrolysis product TCP, thus suggesting the fungus may be a promising candidate for bioremediation of chlorpyrifos-contaminated water, soil or crop.     

Isolation of a buprofezin co-metabolizing strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas</Emphasis> sp. DFS35-4 and identification of the buprofezin transformation pathway

Buprofezin is a widely used insecticide that has caused environmental pollution in many areas. However, biodegradation of buprofezin by pure cultures has not been extensively studied, and the transformation pathway of buprofezin remains unclear. In this paper, a buprofezin co-metabolizing strain of DFS35-4 was isolated from a buprofezin-polluted soil in China. Strain DFS35-4 was preliminarily identified as Pseudomonas sp. based on its morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties, as well as 16S rRNA gene analysis. In the presence of 2.0 g l⁻¹ sodium citrate, strain DFS35-4 degraded over 70% of 50 mg l⁻¹ buprofezin in 3 days. Strain DFS35-4 efficiently degraded buprofezin in the pH range of 5.0–10.0 and at temperatures between 20 and 30°C. Three metabolites, 2-imino-5-phenyl-3-(propan-2-yl)-1,3,5-thiadiazinan-4-one, 2-imino-5-phenyl-1,3,5-thiadiazinan-4-one, and methyl(phenyl) carbamic acid, were identified during the degradation of buprofezin using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). A partial transformation pathway of buprofezin in Pseudomonas sp. DFS35-4 was proposed based on these metabolites.     

Decolorization of 1-aminoanthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid by Sphingomonas xenophaga

Sphingomonas xenophaga QYY from sludge samples could effectively decolorize 1-aminoanthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid (ASA-2), one kind of anthraquinone dye intermediate, under aerobic conditions. More than 98% of ASA-2 could be removed within 120 h at the dye concentration from 200 mg l⁻¹ to 1,000 mg l⁻¹ due to oxidative degradation. The strain converted ASA-2 to 2-(2′-hydroxy-3′-amino-4′-sulfo-benzoyl)-benzoic acid, 2-(2′-amino-3′-sulfo-6′-hydroxy-benzoyl)-benzoic acid, o-phthalic acid and 2-amino-3-hydroxy-benzenesulfonic acid, which were identified using HPLC-MS and NMR. A possible initial decolorization pathway was proposed according to these metabolites. The decolorization of ASA-2 by cells in the basal salt medium was induced by ASA-2, and was due to soluble cytosolic enzymes. Combined initial decolorization pathway and the analysis of decolorization enzyme(s), the major enzyme responsible for ASA-2 decolorization was a NADH-dependent oxygenase.     

Enantioselective biocatalytic hydrolysis of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-mandelonitrile for production of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-(−)-mandelic acid by a newly isolated mutant strain

(R)-(−)-Mandelic acid (R-MA) is an important intermediate with broad uses. Recently, R-MA production using nitrilase has been gaining more and more attention due to its higher productivity and enantioselectivity. In this work, a new bacterium WT10, which exhibited favorable nitrilase activity and excellent enantioselectivity for production of R-MA by enantioselective biocatalytic hydrolysis of (R,S)-mandelonitrile, was isolated and identified as a strain of Alcaligenes faecalis. In order to improve its nitrilase activity for industrial application, the wild-type strain WT10 was further subjected to mutagenesis using a combined LiCl–ultraviolet irradiation and low energy N⁺ ion beams implantation technique. A valuable mutant strain A. faecalis ZJUTB10 was obtained. The nitrilase specific activity of the mutant strain was greatly improved up to 350.8 U g⁻¹, in comparison with wild-type strain WT10 of 53.09 U g⁻¹. The reaction conditions for R-MA production by mutant strain A. faecalis ZJUTB10 were also optimized. Nitrilase activity in mutant strain showed a broad pH optimum at pH 7.7–8.5. The optimal temperature was 35°C. The highest production rate reached 9.3 mmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹. The results showed that mutant strain A. faecalis ZJUTB10 was a new candidate for efficient R-MA production from (R,S)-mandelonitrile and could potentially be used in industrial production.     

Hydrolytic Dechlorination of Chlorothalonil by Ochrobactrum sp. CTN-11 Isolated from a Chlorothalonil-Contaminated Soil

A bacterial strain, designated as CTN-11, capable of degrading chlorothalonil (CTN), was isolated from a chlorothalonil-contaminated soil in China. Based on the morphological, biochemical characteristics and comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA genes, strain CTN-11 was identified as Ochrobactrum sp. Strain CTN-11 could degrade 50 mg l⁻¹ CTN to a non-detectable level within 48 h, and efficiently degrade CTN in a relatively broad range of temperatures from 20 to 40°C and initial pH values from 6.0 to 9.0. The new isolate differed from those previously reported CTN co-metabolic degraders by transforming CTN in the absence of other carbon sources. A glutathione S-transferase (GST) coding gene, which showed 88% sequence similarity with that from Ochrobactrum anthropi SH35B, was cloned from strain CTN-11. However, the gene was not functionally expressed in the presence of glutathione, indicating that CTN was not reductively dechlorinated by thiolytic substitution catalyzed by GST in strain CTN-11. The metabolite hydroxyl-trichloroisophthalonitrile (CTN-OH) produced during CTN anaerobic degradation was identified based on tandem MS/MS, confirming that hydrolytic dechlorination was involved in the CTN degradation. The removal of CTN by strain CTN-11 in sterile and non-sterile soils was also studied. In both soil samples, 50 mg kg⁻¹ CTN could be degraded to an undetectable level within 3 days. This study highlights an important potential use of strain CTN-11 for the cleanup of CTN-contaminated sites and presents a hydrolytic dechlorination reaction of CTN by a pure culture.     

Molecular and enzymatic characterization of a subfamily I.4 lipase from an edible oil-degrader <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> sp. HH-01

An edible-oil degrading bacterial strain HH-01 was isolated from oil plant gummy matter and was classified as a member of the genus Bacillus on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene. A putative lipase gene and its flanking regions were cloned from the strain based on its similarity to lipase genes from other Bacillus spp. The deduced product was composed of 214 amino acids and the putative mature protein, consisting of 182 amino acids, exhibited 82% amino acid sequence identity with the subfamily I.4 lipase LipA of Bacillus subtilis 168. The recombinant product was successfully overproduced as a soluble form in Escherichia coli and showed lipase activity. The gene was, therefore, designated as lipA of HH-01. HH-01 LipA was stable at pH 4–11 and up to 30°C, and its optimum pH and temperature were 8–9 and 30°C, respectively. The enzyme showed preferential hydrolysis of the 1(3)-position ester bond in trilinolein. The activity was, interestingly, enhanced by supplementing with 1 mM CoCl₂, in contrast to other Bacillus lipases. The lipA gene seemed to be constitutively transcribed during the exponential growth phase, regardless of the presence of edible oil.