Bacterial degradation of aromatic compounds.
Aromatic compounds are among the most prevalent and persistent pollutants in the environment. Petroleum-contaminated soil and sediment commonly contain a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatics. Aromatics derived from industrial activities often have functional groups such as alkyls, halogens and nitro groups. Biodegradation is a major mechanism of removal of organic pollutants from a contaminated site. This review focuses on bacterial degradation pathways of selected aromatic compounds. Catabolic pathways of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene are described in detail. Bacterial catabolism of the heterocycles dibenzofuran, carbazole, dibenzothiophene, and dibenzodioxin is discussed. Bacterial catabolism of alkylated PAHs is summarized, followed by a brief discussion of proteomics and metabolomics as powerful tools for elucidation of biodegradation mechanisms.
Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. jsseo@kitox.re.kr
Jong-Su
JS
Seo
Young-Soo
YS
Keum
Qing X
QX
Li
D000332:Aerobiosis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism*; D040901:Proteomics
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons