Degradation of biphenyl by methanogenic microbial consortium

Biphenyl was readily degraded and mineralized to CO2 and CH4 by a PCB-dechlorinating anaerobic microbial consortium. Degradation occurred when biphenyl was supplied as a sole source of carbon or as a co-metabolic substrate together with glucose and methanol. p-Cresol was detected and confirmed by mass spectroscopy as a transient intermediate. Production of 14 C-CO2 and 14C-CH4 from 14C-biphenyl was observed in the approximate ratio of 1:2. The results indicated the existence of novel pathways for biphenyl degradation in a natural anaerobic microbial community.