Aerobic Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Exhibit Differential Sensitivity to and Transformation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT)

• Published in: Current microbiology 1997-08, Vol.35 (2), p.77-83
• Main Authors: FULLER, M. E, MANNING, J. F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteria; Biological and medical sciences; Biology of microorganisms of confirmed or potential industrial interest; Biotechnology; Culture Media - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gram-Negative Bacteria - growth & development; Gram-Negative Bacteria - metabolism; Gram-positive bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria - growth & development; Gram-Positive Bacteria - metabolism; Metabolites; Microbiology; Mission oriented research; Molasses; Physiology and metabolism; Soil ecology; Trinitrotoluene - metabolism
• ISSN: 0343-8651; 1432-0991
• DOI: 10.1007/s002849900216

A systematic evaluation of the ability of different bacterial genera to transform 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), and grow in its presence, was conducted. Aerobic Gram-negative organisms degraded TNT and evidenced net consumption of reduced metabolites when cultured in molasses medium. Some Gram-negative isolates transformed all the initial TNT to undetectable metabolites, with no adsorption of TNT or metabolites to cells. Growth and TNT transformation capacity of Gram-positive bacteria both exhibited 50% reductions in the presence of approximately 10 μg TNT ml⁻¹. Most non-sporeforming Gram-positive organisms incubated in molasses media amended with 80 μg TNT ml⁻¹ became unculturable, whereas all strains tested remained culturable when incubated in mineral media amended with 98 μg TNT ml⁻¹, indicating that TNT sensitivity is linked to metabolic activity. These results indicate that the microbial ecology of soil may be severely impacted by TNT contamination.