Metabolic pathway for the biodegradation of octadecylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine

The biodegradation curve of octadecylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine determined in a Closed Bottle test suggested an initial oxidation of the alkyl chain and a subsequent degradation of the diethanolamine formed. Using the sludge from the test as inoculum, a bacterium capable of utilizing octadecylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine as sole source of carbon and energy was isolated. This bacterium also utilized various other alkylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amines and octadecylpolyoxyethylene(5)amide. Respirometric studies and the formation of diethanolamine by a washed cell suspension of the pure culture showed that the bacterium only oxidized the alkyl chain. Furthermore, in cell-free extracts a dehydrogenase activity catalysing the oxidation of octadecylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine was detected.