FIG. 5.
Models of syntrophic phenol degradation and isophthalate degradation by strain UIT with different partners and intermediate compounds formed in the processes. The electron shuttle for interspecies electron transfer was assumed to be a proton in the models, since an increase in hydrogen partial pressures (ca. 20 Pa) was observed in all degradation processes. However, it may be possible that other external electron carriers can also intermediate in the syntrophic reactions. Intermediate compounds detected experimentally and possible degradation processes of these compounds were also shown in the models.