Conversion of indole to oxindole under methanogenic conditions

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6845740

Berry, D F; Madsen, E L; Bollag, J M

Aromatic N-heterocyclic compounds are often present in aqueous effluents associated with coal mining and processing operations. The environmental fate of these chemicals is of great concern because they are toxic and may contaminate both surface water and groundwater. Previous investigations of microbial metabolism of aromatic chemicals under aerobic and anaerobic conditions suggest that microorganisms may play a key role in determining the fate of this class of compounds. When indole was incubated under methanogenic conditions with an inoculum of sewage sludge, the chemical was metabolized within 10 days and temporary formation of an intermediate was observed. The metabolite was isolated by thin-layer chromatography and determined to be 1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one (oxindole) by UV spectroscopy (lambda/sub max/, 247 nm) and mass spectrometry (m/z, 133). The methane produced (net amount) indicated nearly complete mineralization of indole.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park
• OSTI ID: 6845740
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 53:1; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550500* -- Metabolism
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ALKANES
AROMATICS
AZAARENES
AZOLES
BIODEGRADATION
BIOSYNTHESIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DECOMPOSITION
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROCARBONS
INDOLES
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
METABOLITES
METHANE
MINERALIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PYRROLES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
SPECTRA
SPECTROSCOPY
SYNTHESIS
THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA
WASTES