Bacteria capable of dissimilation of environmentally persistent chemical compounds

Abstract

Plasmid-assisted molecular breeding procedures for generating pure and mixed cultures of microorganisms capable of dissimilating environmentally persistent chemical compounds. Continuously cultured growth of microorganisms is carried out in the presence of a source of DNA plasmids participative in dissimilation of compounds structurally analogous to the persistent compounds and under chemostatic conditions including gradually increasing concentrations of the persistent compound. Novel microorganism products of the procedures include a mixed Arthrobacter and Pseudomonas culture, A.T.C.C. 39028, capable of total degradation of mixed polychlorinated biphenyls (e.g., Arochlor 1221) and a pure culture of Pseudomonas cepacia, A.T.C.C. 39027, which can utilize 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) as its sole carbon source. Disclosed also are procedures for using pure and mixed cultures of the invention in degrading persistent compounds contaminating soil and aqueous environments.

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