lA multiple PAHs-degrading Shinella sp. strain and its potential bioremediation in wastewater

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic derivatives are organic pollutants which threaten ecosystems and human beings. In this study, a new strain, Shinella sp. FLN 14, was isolated and characterized. It can utilize fluorene as its sole carbon source and effectively co-metabolize multiple PAHs and heterocyclic derivatives, including phenanthrene, acenaphthene, and fluoranthene. Two possible metabolic pathways are proposed (i.e., salicylic acid pathway and phthalic acid pathway). Whole-genome sequencing revealed that strain FLN14 possesses a chromosome and four plasmids. However, when combined with ensemble genetic information, novel fluorene-degrading functional gene clusters were not located within the genome of FLN 14, except for some new dioxygenases and electron transport chains, which typically initiate the oxidation of aromatic compounds. In wastewater bioremediation, strain FLN14 removed nearly 95 % of PAHs within 5 days and maintained high degrading activity during the 18-day reaction compared to the control. Overall, our study provides a promising candidate to achieve bioremediation of PAHs-contaminated environments.