Detoxification of high concentrations of trinitrotoluene by bacteria

Abstract

The ability of the strains-destructors of various aromatic compounds to utilize trinitrotoluene (TNT) up to concentration of 70 mg/1 was shown. An increase in the TNT concentration from 100 to 150 mg/1 did not inhibit its conversion rate by the Kocuria palustris RS32 strain. The Acinetobacter sp. VT 11 strain utilized TNT as a sole substrate for growth; 3,5-dinitro-4-methyl anilide acetate and 2,6-dinitro-4-aminotoluene were identified as intermediates of TNT degradation by active strains of Pseudomonas sp. VT-7W and Kocuria rosea RS51. At the same time, 4-methyl-3,5-dinitroformamide was discovered for the first time upon the TNT destruction by the bacteria strains of Rhodococcus opacus 1G and Rhodococcus sp. VT-7. The active bacterial strains achieved an 82-90% destruction of TNT when they were introduced into the soil.