Propane-induced biodegradation of vapor phase trichloroethylene

The objective of the research reported was to evaluate the feasibility of introducing a vapor phase form of trichloroethylene (TCE) in the presence of propane to batch bioreactors containing a liquid phase suspension of Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5 to accomplish degradation. Propane utilization was found be more efficient at the high TCE concentration. In addition, TCE utilization decreased after complete propane consumption. Initial rate tests on culture sets revealed that cells with a history exposure to high concentration of TCE had the highest specific growth rate, but the lowest half-saturation constant. Test cultures with no propane showed TCE depletion but no biomass growth.