Metabolites and biodegradation pathways of fatty alcohol ethoxylates in microbial biocenoses of sewage treatment plants
The biodegradation of fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers was studied by analyzing the /sup 14/C-labeled intermediates isolated from the effluent of a model continuous-flow sewage treatment plant after dosage of either alkyl- or heptaglycol-labeled stearyl alcohol ethoxylate (SA-7EO). In each case, uncharged and carboxylated (mainly dicarboxylated) polyethylene glycols constituted the most prominent metabolites. The results indicate that there is a faster degradation of the alkyl than the polyethylene glycol moiety and that there are two distinct primary degradation mechanisms acting simultaneously in microbial biocenoses: intramolecular scission of the surfactant as well as omega- and beta-oxidation of the alkyl chain. Characterization of the bulk of /sup 14/C-labeled metabolites as a homologous series of neutral and acidic polyglycol units and identification of several C2-fragments accounted for the depolymerization of the hydrophilic part of the surfactant by stepwise cleavage of ether-bound EO units; from additional degradation studies employing either neutral or carboxylated /sup 14/C-labeled polyethylene glycols as model metabolites, it was concluded that hydrolytic as well as oxidative cleavage of C2-units is involved. The simultaneous action of different degradation mechanisms indicates the involvement of several distinct bacterial groups in the biodegradation of fatty alcohol ethoxylates under environmental conditions.
- Research Organization:
- Henkel KGaA, Duesseldorf, Germany, F.R.
- OSTI ID:
- 5177686
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BACTERIA
ECOSYSTEMS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS
BIODEGRADATION
ETHERS
METABOLITES
POLYMERS
SEWAGE
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
ALCOHOLS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
GLYCOLS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
WASTES
550701* - Microbiology- Tracer Techniques