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Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Environmental Fate, Challenges and Bioremediation

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Book cover Microbial Metabolism of Xenobiotic Compounds

Part of the book series: Microorganisms for Sustainability ((MICRO,volume 10))

Abstract

Synthetic chlorinated organic compounds—polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)—have been used in several industrial applications for over 50 years and are among the most persistent classes of xenobiotic pollutants. PCBs remain in the environment for a long period due to their low reactivity and stability in harsh environmental conditions. Samples of PCBs can be analysed using chromatographic methods (gas or liquid) coupled with mass spectrometry after various pre-treatment and extraction methods. Hydrophobicity and a chemically stable nature cause them to break down very slowly under natural conditions. Catabolism by microbial enzymes is an efficient route for environmental biodegradation of PCBs, but as chlorination substitution in the biphenyl ring increases, the microbial degradation rate decreases. Different types of microbes are reported to degrade PCBs under anaerobic and/or aerobic conditions by reducing and oxidizing dechlorination mechanisms, respectively. Four main enzymes are reported for the biodegradation pathway of PCBs: biphenyl dioxygenase (bphA), dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (bphB), 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase (bphC) and 2-hydroxyl-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoic acid hydrolase (bphD). Different types of bacteria are reported to successfully degrade PCBs, but only a few fungi are possible degraders in the absence of alternative carbon sources.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to kindly acknowledge Dr. Samuel Premkumar, CAARU, for deducing the chemical structures, and facilities and support provided by Sultan Qaboos University while preparing this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Sri Sankara Arts and Science College, University of Madras, Chennai, India

    Seethalaksmi Elangovan

  2. Central Analytical and Applied Research Unit, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

    Sathish Babu Soundra Pandian & Sanket J. Joshi

  3. Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

    Geetha S. J.

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  1. Seethalaksmi Elangovan
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  2. Sathish Babu Soundra Pandian
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  3. Geetha S. J.
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  4. Sanket J. Joshi
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Correspondence to Sanket J. Joshi .

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  1. Department of Microbiology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Pankaj Kumar Arora

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Elangovan, S., Pandian, S.B.S., S. J., G., Joshi, S.J. (2019). Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Environmental Fate, Challenges and Bioremediation. In: Arora, P. (eds) Microbial Metabolism of Xenobiotic Compounds. Microorganisms for Sustainability, vol 10. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7462-3_8

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