Tetrachloroethylene Degradation by Culture Supernatant of the Anaerobic Bacterium, Strain T.

Abstract

Degradation of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) by a gram negative, anaerobic bacterium strain T isolated from sludge in drainage from a laundry was examined. The activity of degradation was obtained in the culture supernatant of strain T, but not in the cell-extract by sonication. The reaction was optimal between pH 7.0 and 8.0 and at a temperature of 37°C. The activity was unstable in oxygen, heat labile and inhibited not only by trypsin and chymotrypsin but also by thiol inhibitors such as N-ethylmaleimide and p-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid. The substance degrading PCE in the culture supernatant of a gram negative anaerobic bacterium strain T might be a protein with the thiol group as an active site.