Transformation and mineralization of benzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]pyrene by microbial cultures enriched on mixtures of three- and four-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Microorganisms originating from a soil contaminated by low levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were enriched with three- and four-ring PAHs as primary substrates in the presence of benzoa]pyrene (BaP). Most enrichment cultures, isolated in the presence or absence of a sorptive matrix, significantly transformed BaP. Evidence of BaP mineralization was obtained with cultures enriched on phenanthrene and anthracene. Our findings supplement literature data suggesting the wide occurrence of microbial activity against BaP. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 70–73 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000211 Received 11 December 2000/ Accepted in revised form 04 September 2001