Biodegradation of Trinitrotoluene (TNT)

摘要

The use of a strain of the bacterium Enterobacter cloacae, designated PB2, capable of producing the enzyme pentaerythritol tetranitrate reductase (PETN), for the degradation of the explosive, trinitrotoluene (TNT) is described. Alternatively, the enzyme itself may be used to degrade TNT. A sequence of the PETN gene is illustrated. In the degradation process nitrites are liberated but toluene and dinitrotoluenes are not produced. The methods are intended to be used for the bioremediation of water and soil.