Rapid assay for screening and characterizing microorganisms for the ability to degrade polychlorinated biphenyls

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5842912

Bedard, D L; Unterman, R; Bopp, L H; Brennan, M J; Haberl, M L; Johnson, C

A rapid assay has been designed that (i) assesses the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-degradative competence and congener specificity of aerobic microorganisms, (ii) identifies strains capable of degrading highly chlorinated biphenyls, and (iii) distinguishes among those that degrade PCBs by alternative pathways. Prior attempts to assay PCB-degradative competence by measuring disappearance of Aroclors (commercial PCB mixtures) have frequently produced false-positive findings because of volatilization, adsorption, or absorption losses. Furthermore, these assays have generally left the chemical nature of the competence obscure because of incomplete gas chromatographic resolution and uncertain identification of Aroclor peaks. These problems were avoided by using defined mixtures of PCB congeners and by adopting incubation and extraction methods that prevent physical loss of PCB's. The assay mixtures include PCB congeners ranging from dichloro- to hexachlorobiphenyls and representing various structural classes, e.g., congeners chlorinated on a single ring (2,3-dichlorobiphenyl), blocked at 2,3 sites (2,5,2'5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl), blocked at 3,4 sites (4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl), and lacking adjacent unchlorinated sites (2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl). The PCB-degradative ability of microorganisms is assessed by packed-column gas chromatographic analysis of these defined congener mixtures following 24-h incubation with resting cells. When tested with 25 environmental isolates, this assay (i) revealed a broad range of PCB-degradative competence, (ii) highlighted differences in congener specificity and in the extent of degradation of individual congeners, (iii) predicted degradative competence on commercial PCBs, and (iv) identified strains with superior PCB-degradative ability.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY
• OSTI ID: 5842912
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 51:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
BIOASSAY
MICROORGANISMS
SCREENING
BIODEGRADATION
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
AROMATICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DECOMPOSITION
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
560302* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Microorganisms- (-1987)