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Cyanide utilization and degradation by microorganisms.

C J Knowles1

  • 1Biological Laboratory, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.

Ciba Foundation Symposium
|January 1, 1988
PubMed
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Microorganisms can produce and degrade cyanide for detoxification or as a nitrogen source. Fungi and bacteria utilize distinct pathways for cyanide metabolism, with applications in industrial waste detoxification.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Microorganisms exhibit diverse capabilities in producing (cyanogenesis) and degrading cyanide.
  • Cyanide degradation serves purposes of detoxification or as a nitrogen source for microbial growth.
  • Cyanide is a secondary metabolite produced by fungi and bacteria via glycine decarboxylation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore microbial pathways for cyanide degradation.
  • To identify microorganisms capable of utilizing cyanide as a nitrogen source.
  • To assess the potential of microbial cyanide degradation for industrial applications.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated metabolic pathways of cyanogenic and non-cyanogenic fungi and bacteria.
  • Isolated and cultured bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas fluorescens) utilizing cyanide.

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  • Examined enzymatic mechanisms like cyanide hydratase and cyanide oxygenase systems.

    • Main Results:

    • Snow mould fungus degrades cyanide to CO2 and ammonia via an unknown pathway.
    • Cyanogenic bacteria convert cyanide to beta-cyanoalanine or do not catabolize it further.
    • Non-cyanogenic fungi use cyanide hydratase to degrade cyanide to formamide.
    • Specific bacteria can use cyanide as a nitrogen source when grown under controlled conditions.

    Conclusions:

    • Microbial cyanide degradation pathways are diverse and species-specific.
    • Immobilized fungi and bacterial cultures show potential for cyanide detoxification in industrial waste.
    • Commercial preparations like 'CYCLEAR' and cyanidase leverage microbial capabilities for cyanide remediation.