Reductive dehalogenation of halocarboxylic acids by the phototrophic genera Rhodospirillum and Rhodopseudomonas.
Type strains of the purple nonsulfur species Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodospirillum photometricum, and Rhodopseudomonas palustris grew phototrophically on a number of two- and three-carbon halocarboxylic acids in the presence of CO2, by reductive dehalogenation and assimilation of the resulting acid. Strains of each of these species were able to grow on chloroacetic, 2-bromopropionic, 2-chloropropionic, and 3-chloropropionic acids at a concentration of 2 mM. Only R. palustris DSM 123 was able to grow on bromoacetic acid and then only at a reduced concentration of 1 mM. R. palustris ATCC 33872 (formerly R. rutila) was unable to grow on any of the substrates tested. The ability of these organisms to utilize halocarboxylic acids indicates that they may have a significant role to play in the removal of these environmental pollutants from illuminated anaerobic habitats such as lakes, waste lagoons, sediments of ditches and ponds, mud, and moist soil.
McGrath
J E
JE
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. jem2@waikato.ac.nz
Harfoot
C G
CG
D000085:Acetates / Q000378:metabolism; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D006219:Halogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D011422:Propionates / Q000378:metabolism; D012241:Rhodopseudomonas / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012246:Rhodospirillum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012247:Rhodospirillum rubrum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology
D000085:Acetates; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D003470:Culture Media; D006219:Halogens; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D011422:Propionates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C006972:chloroacetic acid; C016274:bromoacetate; C021974:2-chloropropionic acid; C007022:3-chloropropionic acid; C035775:2-bromopropionic acid