Biodegradation kinetics of 4-fluorocinnamic acid by a consortium of Arthrobacter and Ralstonia strains

Biodegradation. 2012 Feb;23(1):117-25. doi: 10.1007/s10532-011-9491-z. Epub 2011 Jul 5.

Abstract

Arthrobacter sp. strain G1 is able to grow on 4-fluorocinnamic acid (4-FCA) as sole carbon source. The organism converts 4-FCA into 4-fluorobenzoic acid (4-FBA) and utilizes the two-carbon side-chain for growth with some formation of 4-fluoroacetophenone as a dead-end side product. We also have isolated Ralstonia sp. strain H1, an organism that degrades 4-FBA. A consortium of strains G1 and H1 degraded 4-FCA with Monod kinetics during growth in batch and continuous cultures. Specific growth rates of strain G1 and specific degradation rates of 4-FCA were observed to follow substrate inhibition kinetics, which could be modeled using the kinetic models of Haldane-Andrew and Luong-Levenspiel. The mixed culture showed complete mineralization of 4-FCA with quantitative release of fluoride, both in batch and continuous cultures. Steady-state chemostat cultures that were exposed to shock loadings of substrate responded with rapid degradation and returned to steady-state in 10-15 h, indicating that the mixed culture provided a robust system for continuous 4-FCA degradation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arthrobacter / metabolism*
  • Batch Cell Culture Techniques
  • Benzoates / metabolism*
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Biomass
  • Carbon / metabolism
  • Cinnamates / metabolism*
  • Kinetics
  • Microbial Consortia
  • Ralstonia / metabolism*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism

Substances

  • Benzoates
  • Cinnamates
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • 4-fluorocinnamic acid
  • Carbon
  • 4-fluorobenzoic acid