Formation of Alkenes via Degradation of tert-Alkyl Ethers and Alcohols by Aquincola tertiaricarbonis L108 and Methylibium spp (original) (raw)

2011, Applied and Environmental Microbiology

ABSTRACTBacterial degradation pathways of fuel oxygenates such as methyltert-butyl andtert-amyl methyl ether (MTBE and TAME, respectively) have already been studied in some detail. However, many of the involved enzymes are still unknown, and possible side reactions have not yet been considered. InAquincola tertiaricarbonisL108,Methylibium petroleiphilumPM1, andMethylibiumsp. strain R8, we have now detected volatile hydrocarbons as by-products of the degradation of thetert-alkyl ether metabolitestert-butyl andtert-amyl alcohol (TBA and TAA, respectively). The alkene isobutene was formed only during TBA catabolism, while the beta and gamma isomers of isoamylene were produced only during TAA conversion. Bothtert-alkyl alcohol degradation and alkene production were strictly oxygen dependent. However, the relative contribution of the dehydration reaction to total alcohol conversion increased with decreasing oxygen concentrations. In resting-cell experiments where the headspace oxygen con...

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