Transformation of 2,2 '-dichlorodiisopropyl ether in mixed and pure culture

An aerobic enrichment culture derived from a groundwater contaminated with organic and chloroorganic compounds was adapted to the transformation of 2, 2 ' -dichlorodiisopropyl ether (DDE) in a continuous fixed-bed bioreactor. Continuous DDE removal efficiencies over 90% were achieved with a model wat er containing 3.3 mM methanol as co-substrate at DDE loading rates of up to 150 pmol l(-1) day(-1) with a hydraulic retention time of 24 h. In batch c ultures, a stoichiometric release of 2 mu mol chloride per pmol DDE transfo rmed was observed. From the mixed culture, a strain was isolated that is ab le to grow on DDE as the sole energy and carbon source, tolerating DDE conc entrations of up to 1 mM. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing, the strain is affil iated with the genus Rhodococcus.