Temperature-dependent biotransformation of 2,4'-dichlorobiphenyl by psychrotolerant Hydrogenophaga strain IA3-A: higher temperatures prevent excess accumulation of problematic meta-cleavage products.

AIMS

The present work investigates the possibility that temperature could regulate the pattern of transformation of 2,4'-chlorobiphenyl (2,4'-CB) by psychrotolerant Hydrogenophaga sp. IA3-A.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Transformation of 2,4'-chlorobiphenyl to 2- and 4-chlorobenzoic acid (2- and 4-CBA), and meta-cleavage products by cells of strain IA3-A incubated at 10 degrees C, 25 degrees C, 37 degrees C or 45 degrees C were monitored by UV spectrometry, HPLC and GC-MS analyses. Cultures incubated at 10 degrees C, 25 degrees C or 37 degrees C produced low amounts of CBAs and excess levels of meta-cleavage products from 2,4'-CB. Cultures incubated at 45 degrees C transformed most of the degraded 2,4'-CB to CBAs and low level of meta-cleavage product. Culture extracts contained unusual varieties of isomeric hydroxylated metabolic products.

CONCLUSIONS

Efficient transformation of 2,4'-CB to CBAs was possible in cultures incubated at 45 degrees C. Evidence for the involvement of multiple pathways in the transformation of 2,4'-CB in strain IA3-A suggests that differential regulation of the pathways at different temperatures was likely responsible for the change in the pattern of transformation of 2,4'-CB in cultures incubated at 45 degrees C.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

It may be possible to condition cells to transform chlorinated biphenyls more efficiently without accumulating excess level of toxic intermediates.