Aerobic biotransformation of 4-fluorocinnamic acid to 4-fluorobenzoic acid

The biotransformation of 4-fluorocinnamic acid (FCA) using non-acclimated i ndustrial activated sludge was investigated. FCA is a common intermediate i n organic synthesis, and it is often present in aqueous waste streams. Henc e, the biotransformation reactions this compound undergoes when exposed to activated sludge micro-organisms should be understood before waste streams are sent to biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). FCA biotransfor mation was monitored using a wide range of analytical techniques. These tec hniques were used to monitor not only FCA disappearance, but also the forma tion of degradation products, in order to propose the metabolic pathway. FC A was biotransformed to 4-fluorobenzoic acid via the formation of 4-fluoroa cetophenone. The removal of FCA up to 200 mg L-1 followed first order kinet ics. The half-lives for removal of FCA from the test solutions supplied wit h 200 mg L-1, 100 mg L-1, and 50 mg L-1 were 53, 18, and 5 hours respective ly.