[Possibilities for the deep bacterial destruction of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene]

Abstract

The possibility of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) deep destruction (the aromatic cycle fission inclusive) by Pseudomonas fluorescens B-3468 is reported for the first time. The formation of nitrogen-free metabolites, viz. phloroglucinol and pyrogallol, is preceded by the NAD(P)H-dependent deamination of 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene (2,4-DA), a TNT intermediate. 30% of 2,4-DA nitrogen in released as ammonium under the action of an induced cell-free extract in the presence of the preferential co-factor NADH (together with FAD). The elevated pyrogallol-decomposing activity in cells grown on 2,4-DA, phloroglucinol and pyrogallol as well as the induction of the pyrocatechase activity in cells grown on the above substrates, together with the earlier reported accumulation of phloroglucinol and pyrogallol upon 2,4-DA utilization, indicated that the enzyme might be involved in the TNT cycle cleavage. The participation of NADH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase in 2,4-DA nitrogen utilization is supported by experimental evidence.