| Abstract: | The fate of glycerol trinitrate when exposed to microbial attack has been investigated. Contrary to some earlier reports, this compound was readily biodegraded by employing batch or continuous techniques under a variety of cultural conditions. Breakdown of glycerol trinitrate took place stepwise via the dinitrate and mononitrate isomers, with each succeeding step proceeding at a slower rate. After a residence time of 8 to 15 h, none of the glycerol nitrates could be detected in the effluent from a continuous-culture apparatus (chemostat) supplied with an influent containing 30 mg of glycerol trinitrate per liter. |
