title: Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) serves as a carbon and energy source for a mixed culture under anaerobic conditions.
abstract: We studied the anaerobic biodegradation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in a mineral medium by a mixed culture. RDX degradation activity was maintained for more than a year with only the addition of RDX. We observed a steady increase in the protein concentration of the culture from 4.8 microg mL(-1) to more than 24.4 microg mL(-1), a >400% increase. There was only a slight increase in protein in the RDX unamended control bottles containing live culture, increasing from 4.8 microg mL(-1) to 7.8 microg mL(-1). Radiolabeled (14)C-RDX confirmed mineralization of the cyclic nitramine to (14)CO(2). After 164 days, 35% of the radiolabel was recovered as 14CO2. This is the first report demonstrating the mineralization of RDX when it serves as a growth substrate for a mixed culture.
authors.affiliation: Engineer Research & Development Center, Army Corps of Engineers, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 9005, 2902 Newmark Drive, Champaign, IL 61821-9005, USA.
authors.forename: Neal R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Adrian
authors.forename: Clint M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Arnett
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism; D019605:Euryarchaeota / Q000378:metabolism*; D014227:Triazines / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D014227:Triazines; D002244:Carbon; C009160:cyclonite