Summary
Several bacterial strains that can oxidize mono- and dichlorinated biphenyls with one unsubstituted ring have already been described. The major route for this biodegradation leads ultimately to the corresponding chlorobenzoic acid, but several other minor chlorinated metabolites that might possibly be of concern for the environment have also been described previously. Since none of the bacterial strains that are able to oxidize these chlorinated biphenyls in pure culture are known to degrade chlorobenzoic acid, the oxidation of these substrates by axenic cultures always generates chlorobenzoates plus several other metabolites. In the present study, we have estimated the biodegradation of 4-chlorobiphenyl (4CB) by a two-membered bacterial culture containing one strain able to grow on 4CB and to transform it into 4-chlorobenzoate (4CBA) and one strain able to degrade 4CBA. The results were encouraging, since it was shown that the degradation of 4CB was more rapid and complete with the double bacterial culture.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahmed M, Focht DD (1973a) Oxidation of polychlorinated biphenyls by Achromobacter. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 10:1970
Ahmed M, Focht DD (1973b) Degradation of polychlorinated biphenuls by two species of Achromobacter. Can J Microbiol 19:47–52
Bailey RE, Gonsior SJ, Rhinehart WL (1983) Biodegradation of the monochlorobiphenyls and biphenyl in River water. Environ Sci Technol 17:617–621
Furukawa R, Matsumura F (1976) Microbial metabolism of polychlorinated biphenyls. Studies on the relative degradability of polychlorinated biphenyl components by Alkaligenes sp. J Agric Food Chem 24:251–256
Furukawa R, Chakrabarty AM (1982) Involvement of plasmids in total degradion of chlorinated biphenyls. Appl. Environ Microbiol 44:619–626
Furukawa R, Tomizyka N, Kamibayashi A (1978) Effect of chlorine substitution of the bacterial metabolism of various polychlorinated biphenyls. Appl Environ Microbiol 38:301–310
Furukawa R, Tonomura R, Kamibayashi A (1979) Effect of chlorine substitution on the biodegradability of polychlorinated biphenyls. Appl Environ Microbiol 39:223–227
Keil H, Klages V, Lingens F (1981) Degradation of 4-chlorobenzoate by Pseudomonas sp. CBS-3: induction of catabolic enzymes. FEMS Microbiol Lett 10:213–215
Kong HL, Sayler GS (1983) Degradation and total mineralization of monohalogenated biphenyls in natural sediment and mixed bacterial culture. Appl Environ Microbiol 46:666–672
Massé R, Messier F, Sylvestre M (1982) GC/MS analysis of the biodegradation products of 4-chlorobiphenyl by gram negation microorganisms. Abst Ann Meet Amer Soc Mass Spect. RPA 13
Massé R, Messier F, Péloquin L, Ayotte C, Sylvestre M (1984) Microbial biodegradation of 4 chlorobiphenyl, a model compound of chlorinated biphenyls. Appl Environ Microbiol 47:947–951
Shiaris MP, Sayler GS (1982) Biotransformation of PCB by natural assemblage of fresh water microorganisms. Environ Sci Technol 16:367–369
Sylvestre M, Fauteux J (1982) A new facultative anaerobe capable of growth on 4-chlorobiphenyl. J Gen Appl Microbiol 28:61–72
Sylvestre M, Massé R, Messier F, Fauteux J, Bisaillon J-G, Beaudet R (1982) Bacterial nitration of 4-chlorobiphenyl. Appl Environ Microbiol 44:871–877
Yagi O, Sudo R (1980) Degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls by microorganisms. Water Pollut Control 52:1035–1043
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sylvestre, M., Massé, R., Ayotte, C. et al. Total biodegradation of 4-chlorobiphenyl (4 CB) by a two-membered bacterial culture. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 21, 192–195 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295120
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295120