Selection and Isolation of Aromatic Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria

Abstract

Thirthy-four anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria and 7 other environmental isolates were examined for their ability to grow anaerobically in light in monocyclic aromatic compound, including beuzoate, salysilate 2- bydroxybenzoate, phenol, gentisate 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate, and catechol 1,2-benzenediol. Five aerobic bacteria were tested for aerobic utilization ot' the monocyclic aromatic compound. Twenty-seven Out of 41 of isolated anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria 65.8% were able to grow in 5 mM benzoate. DS-1, DS-4, and Cas-13 of the anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria and DS-8, MR1.2, and PG9.1 of the aerobic bacteria showed relatively short generation time. The ability of purple non-sulfur bacteria to grow In gentisate might be firstly reported. We also observed that MR1.2 was the only Gram positive isolate of the aerobic bacteria capable of growing In atrazine 2-chloro-4-ethylamlno-6- isopropylamino.l,3,5.triazlne.