title: Poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoates consumption during degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by Sphingopyxis chilensis S37.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla, Concepción, Chile.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Godoy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bunster
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matus
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martínez
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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