Isolation and characterization of an anthracene degradation bacterial strain

Abstract:

[Objective] We aimed to isolate anthracene-degrading bacterium from saline-alkli soil and analyze its degradation characteristics. [Methods] Extinction dilution was used to isolate and purify the bacterium. Flow cytometry was applied to monitor bacterial growth. Anthracene and metabolites were analyzed by GC-MS. [Results] An anthracene degrading bacterial strain was isolated from highly saline soil. Based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the bacteria was identified as Demequina salsinemorus. It can use anthracene as sole carbon and energy source. The highest degradation efficiency was 92%. Within a certain concentration range, the bacterial growth rate became faster and the degradation rate increased when the concentration of anthracene was decreasing. After adding exotic carbon source, bacterial growth rate increased significantly. However, the degradation efficiency decreased. 9,10-anthracenedione and phthalic acid were identified as the major metabolites. The phthalic acid path way was proposed as the degradation pathway. [Conclusion] A bacterial strain with a high anthracene-degrading efficiency was isolated. Our results may have important practical significance for petroleum-contaminated soil remediation.