Biodegradation of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Aniline by Microorganisms

Two pure cultures (strains No. A-11 and A-12) from soil sample capable of utilizing aniline as the sole source of nitrogen and energy were regarded as Achromobacter sp and Pseudomonas sp, respectively. Degradation patterns of aniline and aniline derivatives were observed on the high-performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC) of the culture filtrate of both strains and growth of both strains were measured as protein by the Kennedy and Fewson method. The growth yield of both strains were about 46.3g and 47.4g of protein per mole of nitrogen source of aniline and were similar to those in the case of NH4Cl as a nitrogen source. Biodegradation of aniline was achieved (200 mg/l) in less than 3 and 4 days using strains No. A-11 and strain No. A-12, respectively. The strain No. A-11 degraded aniline more rapidly than strain No. A-12.