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Hexahydro-1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-Triazine (RDX) Serves as a Carbon and Energy Source for a Mixed Culture Under Anaerobic Conditions

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Abstract

We studied the anaerobic biodegradation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in a mineral medium by a mixed culture. RDX degradation activity was maintained for more than a year with only the addition of RDX. We observed a steady increase in the protein concentration of the culture from 4.8 μg mL−1 to more than 24.4 μg mL−1, a >400% increase. There was only a slight increase in protein in the RDX unamended control bottles containing live culture, increasing from 4.8 μg mL−1 to 7.8 μg mL−1. Radiolabeled 14C-RDX confirmed mineralization of the cyclic nitramine to 14CO2. After 164 days, 35% of the radiolabel was recovered as 14CO2. This is the first report demonstrating the mineralization of RDX when it serves as a growth substrate for a mixed culture.

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Acknowledgments

We thank J. Davis for providing the uniformly labeled C-14 RDX and D. Felt for assistance with performing the RDX radiolabeled studies. This research was conducted at the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory for the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center. It has not been subjected to Army review and, therefore, does not necessarily reflect the views of the Army, and no official endorsement should be inferred.

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  1. Engineer Research & Development Center, Army Corps of Engineers, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 9005, 2902 Newmark Drive, Champaign, IL, 61821-9005, USA

    Neal R. Adrian & Clint M. Arnett

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  1. Neal R. Adrian
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  2. Clint M. Arnett
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Correspondence to Clint M. Arnett.

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Adrian, N.R., Arnett, C.M. Hexahydro-1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-Triazine (RDX) Serves as a Carbon and Energy Source for a Mixed Culture Under Anaerobic Conditions. Curr Microbiol 53, 129–134 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-005-0348-8

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