Work

Bacterial Degradation of Aromatic Compounds

Year: 2009

Type: review

Abstract: 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.

Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph6010278

Authors: Jong-Su Seo, Young-Soo Keum, Qing X. Li

Institutions: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Hawaii System, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Seoul National University

Language: English

Topic: Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,016

Funders: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture