Biodegradation of coal-related model compounds

Conference · Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7028952

Campbell, J A; Stewart, D L; McCulloch, M; Lucke, R B; Bean, R M

We have studied the reactions of model compounds having coal-related functionalities (ester linkages, ether linkages, PAH) with the intact organism, cell-free filtrate, and cell-free enzyme of C. versicolor to better understand the process of biosolubilization. Many of the degradation products have been identified by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). Results indicate that the two compounds tested with the intact fungal organism were completely degraded. Complete degradation refers to no recovery of model compound. We can probably assume that the other two would also be totally degraded, since we have not yet found a simple compound that will survive long-term exposure to the intact fungus. The ease of degradation with the cell-free filtrate appears to be in the order: phenylbenzoate > benzylbenzoate > benzyl ether > methoxybenzophenone. Esters and ethers that are activated by aromatic rings appear to be susceptible to the fungal extract; however, aromatic ketones are not affected by the extract. From the limited results we have obtained from the isolated enzyme, it appears that the activity may parallel the cell-free filtrate. When the cell-free extract was tested with the model compounds indole, dibenzothiophene, and bibenzyl, no degradation with the enzyme was noted: however, exposure of these compounds to the intact organism resulted in complete degradation. Analysis of the controls indicated no degradation. 8 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 7028952
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-16094; CONF-8809141-1; ON: DE88015924
• Resource Relation: Conference: National applied superconductivity conference (ASC), Los Angeles, CA, USA, 5 Sep 1988; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANTHRACENE
BIODEGRADATION
COAL
ETHERS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
FUNGI
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
REACTION KINETICS
AROMATICS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
KINETICS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
010400* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Processing
550700 - Microbiology
550500 - Metabolism