Degradation of the metal-cyano complex tetracyanonickelate(II) by cyanide-utilizing bacterial isolates. [Klebsiella; Pseudomonas putida]

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA)

OSTI ID:5965675

Silva-Avalos, J; Richmond, M G; Nagappan, O; Kunz, D A ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of North Texas, Denton (USA)

Ten bacterial isolates capable of growth on tetracyanonickelate(II) {l brace}K{sub 2}(Ni(CN){sub 4}){r brace} (TCN) as the sole nitrogen source were isolated from soil, freshwater, and sewage sludge enrichments. Seven of the 10 were identified as pseudomonads, while the remaining 3 were classified as Klebsiella species. A detailed investigation of one isolate, Pseudomonas putide BCN3, revealed a rapid growth rate on TCN (generation time, 2 h), with substrate removal and growth occurring in parallel. In addition to TCN, all isolates were able to utilize KCN, although the latter was significantly more toxic; MICs ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 mM for KCN and {ge}50 mM for TCN. While growth occurred over a wide range of TCN concentrations (0.25 to 16 mM), degradation was most substantial under growth-limiting conditions and did not occur when ammonia was present. In addition, cells grown on TCN were found to accumulate nickel cyanide (Ni(CN){sub 2}) as a major biodegradation product. The results show that bacteria capable of growth on TCN can readily be isolated and that degradation (i) appears to parallel the capacity for growth on KCN, (ii) does not occur in the presence of ammonia, and (iii) proceeds via the formation of Ni(CN){sub 2} as a biological metabolite.

• OSTI ID: 5965675
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA), Vol. 56:12; ISSN 0099-2240
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BACTERIA
METABOLISM
CYANIDES
BIODEGRADATION
NICKEL COMPLEXES
AMMONIA
GROWTH
METABOLITES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPLEXES
DECOMPOSITION
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPLEXES
540210* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)
540310 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (1990-)