Bacteria Induced Degradation of Anthracene Mediated by Catabolic Enzymes

ABSTRACTThis investigation evaluated the ability of three bacterial strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PSA5, Rhodococcus sp. NJ2, and Cronobacter sp. PSM10, isolated from the petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil, for the degradation of anthracene at very high concentration (1000 ppm) in minimal salt media (MSM). A maximum degradation of 94% was attained by PSA5, followed by PSM10 (84%) and a minimum was recorded for NJ2 (78%) after 10 days of incubation periods. Specific activities of catabolic enzymes like C120, C230, 3,4-PCD, and 4,5-PCD were recorded that indicates anthracene gets mineralized by these strain through O-phthalate pathway. However aromatic rings of anthracene dominantly cleavage through ortho cleavage pathway by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PSA5 and Cronobacter sp. PSM10 while through meta cleavage by Rhodococcus sp. NJ2. Biosurfactant production by these strains during degradation of anthracene was also confirmed through the reduction of surface tension of media and formation of emulsification...