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. 1994 Jun-Jul;102(6-7):552–554. doi: 10.1289/ehp.94102552

Screening and Separation of Microorganisms Degrading PCBs.

A Bokvajova 1, J Burkhard 1, K Demnerova 1, J Pazlarova 1
PMCID: PMC1569760  PMID: 9679114

Abstract

We performed an assay to assess the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degradative capability and congener specificity of aerobic microorganisms. Microbial strains were isolated and separated from different types of soils in the Czech Republic, and their PCB-degrading abilities were compared. An industrial mixture of PCB congeners ranging from dichloro- to hexachlorobiphenyl and representing various chlorination patterns was used throughout. The PCB degradative ability of microorganisms was determined by gas chromatography after 7 days of incubation. The degree of degradation was found to depend on the number of chlorine substituents.

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Selected References

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