Elucidation of n-butyl benzyl phthalate biodegradation using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas
Xiang-Rong Xu1, Hua-Bin Li, Ji-Dong Gu
1Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. xrxu@hkucc.hku.hk
Abstract:
n-Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical. A bacterium species capable of using BBP as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated from mangrove sediment. Effects of BBP concentration, pH, temperature, and salinity on BBP biodegradation were studied. The optimum pH, temperature, and salinity for the BBP biodegradation were 7.0, 37 degrees C, and 15 g L(-1), respectively. BBP was completely degraded within 6 days under optimum conditions, and the biodegradation of BBP could be fitted to a first-order kinetic model. The major metabolites of BBP biodegradation were identified as mono-butyl phthalate, mono-benzyl phthalate, phthalic acid, and benzoic acid by using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A preliminary metabolic pathway was proposed for the biodegradation of BBP.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics
Bioplastics
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Mass Spectrometry: Aromatic Compound Fragmentation


