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Trichloroethylene Degradation by Toluene-Oxidizing Bacteria Grown on Non-aromatic Substrates

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Abstract

The potential of trichloroethylene (TCE) to induce andnon-aromatic growth substrates to support TCE degradationin five strains (Pseudomonas mendocina KR1,Ralstonia pickettii PKO1, Pseudomonas putida F1,Burkholderia cepacia G4, B. cepacia PR1) oftoluene-oxidizing bacteria was examined. LB broth andacetate did not support TCE degradation in any of thewild-type strains. In contrast, fructose supported thehighest specific levels of TCE oxidation observed ineach of the strains tested, except B. cepacia G4. Wediscuss the potential mechanisms and implications ofthis observation. In particular, cells of P. mendocinaKR1 degraded significant amounts of TCE during cellgrowth on non-aromatic substrates. Apparently, TCEdegradation was not completely constrained by anygiven factor in this microorganism, as was observedwith P. putida F1 (TCE was an extremely poorsubstrate) or B. cepacia G4 (lack of oxygenaseinduction by TCE). Our results indicate that multiplephysiological traits are required to enable useful TCEdegradation by toluene-oxidizing bacteria in the absenceof aromatic cosubstrates. These traits include oxygenaseinduction, effective TCE turnover, and some level ofresistance to TCE mediated toxicity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Corvallis, OR, 97331-2902, USA

    Chris M. Yeager, Kirstin M. Arthur, Peter J. Bottomley & Daniel J. Arp

  2. Department of Microbiology and Crop and Soil Sciences, Corvallis, OR, 97331-2902, USA

    Peter J. Bottomley

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  1. Chris M. Yeager
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  2. Kirstin M. Arthur
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  3. Peter J. Bottomley
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  4. Daniel J. Arp
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Yeager, C.M., Arthur, K.M., Bottomley, P.J. et al. Trichloroethylene Degradation by Toluene-Oxidizing Bacteria Grown on Non-aromatic Substrates. Biodegradation 15, 19–28 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BIOD.0000009947.09125.35

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