Biodegradation of phenanthrene by the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus ES-55
Safonova, E.; Kvitko, K.; Kuschk, P.; Moder, M.; Reisser, W.
Engineering in Life Sciences 5(3): 234-239
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1618-0240 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.200520077
Accession: 011806921
While the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by bacteria and fungi has been broadly investigated, less is known about the metabolism of these compounds by algae. The goal of the experiments was to test the degradability of phenanthrene by the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus ES-55 (Chlorophyceae) and to identify the metabolites. It was shown that S. obliquus ES-55 metabolized phenanthrene. Under light conditions, phenanthrene (14 mg/L) inhibits cell division by more than twice.