Enhancement of PCB degradation by Burkholderia xenovorans LB400 in biphasic systems by manipulating culture conditions

Abstract

Two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) can be used to biodegrade environmental contaminants after their extraction from soil. TPPBs are typically stirred tank bioreactors containing an aqueous phase hosting the degrading microorganism and an immiscible, non-toxic and non-bioavailable organic phase functioning as a reservoir for hydrophobic compounds. Biodegradation of these compounds in the aqueous phase results in thermodynamic disequilibrium and partitioning of additional compounds from the organic phase into the aqueous phase. This self-regulated process can allow the delivery of large amounts of hydrophobic substances to degrading microorganisms. This paper explores the reactor conditions under which the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degrader Burkholderia xenovorans LB400 can degrade significant amounts of the PCB mixture Aroclor(R) 1242. Aroclor(R) degradation was found to stall after approximately 40 h if no carbon source other than PCBs was available in the reactor. Sodium pyruvate was found to be a suitable carbon source to maintain microbial activity against PCBs and to function as a substrate for additional cell growth. Both biphenyl (while required during the inoculum preparation) and glucose had a negative effect during the Aroclor(R) degradation phase. Initial Aroclor(R) 1242 degradation rates in the presence of pyruvate were high (6.2 mg L(-1) h(-1)) and 85% of an equivalent concentration of 100 mg Aroclor(R) 1242 per L aqueous phase could be degraded in 48 h, which suggest that solvent extraction of PCBs from soil followed by their biodegradation in TPPBs might be a feasible remediation option.