First Microbes Found to Break Down PCBs

The first strain of bacterium that breaks down tough chlorine bonds of the pollutant polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been discovered by researchers from the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI, Baltimore, USA) and the Medical University of South Carolina. Their discovery was reported in the January 1, 2002, issue of Environmental Microbiology.

Dealing with tons of banned PCBs released by industries over the years has been a challenge for environmentalists and regulators. PCBs can buildup in fish and marine mammals, reaching thousands of times higher levels than found in the water they live in. Now, using a rapid, DNA screening method, researchers have discovered a bacterium capable of degrading PCBs. The bacterium catalyzes dechlorination of PCBs. It is the first found to break the chlorine bonds in the critical ortho position, say the researchers. They hope this will lead to the complete dechlorination of persistant molecules.

"This first identification of a PCB-dechlorinating, anaerobic bacterium is important for bioremediation efforts and for developing molecular probes to monitor PCB degrading,” said Kevin Sowers, a research microbiologist a UMBI's Center of Marine Biology.





Related Links:
University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute
Medical University of South Carolina