Aerobic gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria exhibit differential sensitivity to and transformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT).
A systematic evaluation of the ability of different bacterial genera to transform 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), and grow in its presence, was conducted. Aerobic Gram-negative organisms degraded TNT and evidenced net consumption of reduced metabolites when cultured in molasses medium. Some Gram-negative isolates transformed all the initial TNT to undetectable metabolites, with no adsorption of TNT or metabolites to cells. Growth and TNT transformation capacity of Gram-positive bacteria both exhibited 50% reductions in the presence of approximately 10 microg TNT ml-1. Most non-sporeforming Gram-positive organisms incubated in molasses media amended with 80 microg TNT ml-1 became unculturable, whereas all strains tested remained culturable when incubated in mineral media amended with 98 microg TNT ml-1, indicating that TNT sensitivity is linked to metabolic activity. These results indicate that the microbial ecology of soil may be severely impacted by TNT contamination.
Fuller
M E
ME
Environmental Research Division, ER/203-J070, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439, USA.
Manning
J F
JF
D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008965:Molasses; D014303:Trinitrotoluene / Q000378:metabolism*
D003470:Culture Media; D014303:Trinitrotoluene