Microbes and microbial enzymes for cyanide degradation.
Cyanide is an important industrial chemical produced on a grand scale each year. Although extremely toxic to mammalian life, cyanide is a natural product generated by fungi and bacteria, and as a result microbial systems have evolved for the degradation of cyanide to less toxic compounds. The enzymes which utilize cyanide as a substrate can be categorized into the following reaction types: substitution/addition, hydrolysis, oxidation, and reduction. Each of these categories is reviewed with respect to the known biochemistry and feasibility for use in treatment of cyanide containing wastes.
Raybuck
S A
SA
Clayton Foundation Biochemical Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas, Austin 78712.
D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D003486:Cyanides / Q000378:metabolism*; D005658:Fungi / Q000201:enzymology*
D003486:Cyanides