EFFECT OF VITAMINS ON THE AEROBIC DEGRADATION OF 2-CHLOROPHENOL, 4-CHLOROPHENOL, AND 4-CHLOROBIPHENYL

The effect of vitamins on the aerobic degradation and dechlorination o f 2-chlorophenol and 4-chlorophenol by Pseudomonas pickettii, strain L D1, and 4-chlorobiphenyl by Pseudomonas sp, strain CPE1 was determined . These microorganisms are capable of using the larger compounds as th e sole carbon and energy source, bur do not need vitamins to metaboliz e them. The addition to the culture medium of a vitamin solution conta ining biotin, folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin thiamin e hydrochloride, niacin, pantothenic acid, cyanocobalamin, p-aminobenz oic acid, and thioctic acid (total final concentration: less than or e qual to 600 pbb) resulted in a 7%-16% increase in the amount of target compounds degraded over the incubation period required for the concen tration of the compound in the cultures to drop to approximately zero. A corresponding increase in the amount of chloride ion produced was a lso detected during the same period, indicating active (and often stoi chiometric) dechlorination of the target compounds.