Biodegradation and biotransformation of explosives

TY - JOUR

T1 - Biodegradation and biotransformation of explosives

AU - Rylott, Elizabeth L.

AU - Lorenz, Astrid

AU - Bruce, Neil C.

PY - 2011/6

Y1 - 2011/6

N2 - Explosives now contaminate millions of hectares of land in the US alone, with global levels of contamination difficult to fully assess. Understanding the biology behind the metabolism of these toxic compounds by microorganisms and plants is imperative for managing these pollutants in the environment. Towards this aim, recent studies have identified, and are now characterizing, plant genes involved in 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene detoxification and the biochemical pathways of nitramine degradation in microorganisms. A key scientific goal continues to be identification of enzymes capable of degrading 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and this still remains elusive, although recent reports give insights into the origin of nitrite released during biotransformation of this major contaminant. Promising phytoremediation research using transgenic model plant systems has now been transferred to poplar, a species with field applicability.

AB - Explosives now contaminate millions of hectares of land in the US alone, with global levels of contamination difficult to fully assess. Understanding the biology behind the metabolism of these toxic compounds by microorganisms and plants is imperative for managing these pollutants in the environment. Towards this aim, recent studies have identified, and are now characterizing, plant genes involved in 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene detoxification and the biochemical pathways of nitramine degradation in microorganisms. A key scientific goal continues to be identification of enzymes capable of degrading 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and this still remains elusive, although recent reports give insights into the origin of nitrite released during biotransformation of this major contaminant. Promising phytoremediation research using transgenic model plant systems has now been transferred to poplar, a species with field applicability.

KW - PSEUDOMONAS SP HK-6

KW - HEXAHYDRO-1,3,5-TRINITRO-1,3,5-TRIAZINE RDX

KW - GENE-EXPRESSION

KW - 2,4,6-TRINITROTOLUENE TNT

KW - TRANSGENIC TOBACCO

KW - DEGRADATION

KW - CL-20

KW - SOIL

KW - PHYTOREMEDIATION

KW - ARABIDOPSIS

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79958002879&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.copbio.2010.10.014

DO - 10.1016/j.copbio.2010.10.014

M3 - Literature review

SN - 0958-1669

VL - 22

SP - 434

EP - 440

JO - CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

JF - CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

IS - 3

ER -