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Screening for biosurfactant production by 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene‐transforming bacteria
Author(s) -
AvilaArias H.,
Avellaneda H.,
Garzón V.,
Rodríguez G.,
Arbeli Z.,
GarciaBonilla E.,
VillegasPlazas M.,
Roldan F.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.13504
Subject(s) - achromobacter , bacteria , bioremediation , stenotrophomonas , trinitrotoluene , microbiology and biotechnology , burkholderia , pseudomonas , chemistry , biodegradation , biology , food science , environmental chemistry , explosive material , organic chemistry , genetics
Aims To isolate and identify TNT ‐transforming cultures from explosive‐contaminated soils with the ability to produce biosurfactants. Methods and Results Bacteria (pure and mixed cultures) were selected based on their ability to transform TNT in minimum media with TNT as the sole nitrogen source and an additional carbon source. TNT ‐transforming bacteria were identified by 16S r RNA gene sequencing. TNT transformation rates were significantly lower when no additional carbon or nitrogen sources were added. Surfactant production was enabled by the presence of TNT . Fourteen cultures were able to transform the explosive (>50%); of these, five showed a high transformation capacity (>90%), and six produced surfactants. Conclusions All explosive‐transforming cultures contained Proteobacteria of the genera Achromobacter , Stenotrophomonas , Pseudomonas , Sphingobium , Raoultella , Rhizobium and Methylopila . These cultures transformed TNT when an additional carbon source was added. Remarkably, Achromobacter spanius S17 and Pseudomonas veronii S94 have high TNT transformation rates and are surfactant producers. Significance and Impact of the Study TNT is a highly toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic nitroaromatic explosive; therefore, bioremediation to eliminate or mitigate its presence in the environment is essential. TNT ‐transforming cultures that produce surfactants are a promising method for remediation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that links surfactant production and TNT transformation by bacteria.