Singh A., Kumar A., Misra K.
Rice University, US
Keywords: 2; 3; 4; 5; 6-pentachlorocyclohexan-1-ol, b-Hexachlorocyclohexane, biodegradation, pseudomonas aeruginosa ITRC-5
Chlorinated insecticide hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), which is still used in many countries in agriculture and forestry, leads to environmental problems. HCH consists of a mixture of four isomers: a-, b-, g-, and d. Efforts have been made for the remediation of soils and groundwater contaminated with the toxic and persistent HCH isomers through biodegradation processes. A bacterium pseudomonas aeruginosa ITRC-5 degrades not only a-, g-, and d- HCH isomers of but also b-HCH which is the most recalcitrant due to its chemical stability. The degradation of b-isomer is accompanied with the formation of a metabolite 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohexan-1-ol (PCCOL). In the present study, effectiveness of ITRC-5 strain in further degradation of PCCOL was evaluated. g-HCH grown ITRC-5 cells show higher degradation of PCCOL than the t-HCH grown cells do. Furthermore, degradation of PCCOL by g-HCH grown cells is enhanced in the presence of a- or g-HCH isomers. Cloned genes of ITRC-5 bacterium showed 50% degradation of PCCOL in 16 hrs. The ITRC-5, therefore, demonstrates potential for the bioremediation of b-HCH and PCCOL.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2009 Clean Technology Conference and Trade Show
Published: May 3, 2009
Pages: 290 - 293
Industry sector: Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Water Technologies
ISBN: 978-1-4398-1787-2