Poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoates consumption during degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by Sphingopyxis chilensis S37.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the possible effect of poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) consumption on 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) degradation during starvation by Sphingopyxis chilensis S37 strain, which stores PHAs and degrades 2,4,6-TCP.


RESULTS
The strain was inoculated in saline solution supplemented with 2,4,6-TCP (25-400 microm). Chlorophenol degradation was followed both spectrophotometrically and by chlorine released; viable bacterial counts were also determined. Cells starved for 24, 48 or 72 h were incubated with 25 microm of 2,4,6-TCP and PHA in cells investigated by spectrofluorimetric and flow cytometry. Results demonstrated that starvation decreased the ability to degrade 2,4,6-TCP. After 72 h of starvation, degradation of 2,4,6-TCP decreased to less than 10% and the relative PHA content diminished to ca 50% during the first 24 h.


CONCLUSIONS
Utilization of PHA may be an important factor for the degradation of toxic compounds, such as 2,4,6-TCP, in bacterial strains unable to use this toxic compound as carbon and energy source.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study describing a relationship between intracellular PHA consumption and 2,4,6-TCP degradation. Therefore, PHAs provides an endogenous carbon and energy source under starvation and can play a significant role in the degradation of toxic compounds.
Godoy
F A
FA
Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla, Concepción, Chile.
Bunster
M
M
Matus
V
V
Aranda
C
C
González
B
B
Martínez
M A
MA
D020561:Alphaproteobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002712:Chlorides / Q000032:analysis; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006880:Hydroxy Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000378:metabolism; D011091:Polyesters / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
D002712:Chlorides; D002733:Chlorophenols; D005227:Fatty Acids; D006880:Hydroxy Acids; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D011091:Polyesters; C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates; C024564:2,4,6-trichlorophenol