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Enrichment and properties of an anaerobic mixed culture that reductively deiodinates 5-amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalic acid, an X-ray contrast agent precursor

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Abstract

5-Amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalic acid (ATIA), both a precursor and a degradative intermediate of triiodinated contrast media, was anaerobically converted by sludge from a wastewater treatment plant. ATIA conversion took place only when an electron donor such as ethanol was added. A stable mixed culture was established by transfer to a defined synthetic mineral medium with ATIA and ethanol. It could be maintained for 1 year when the sulfate concentration was kept below 30 µM. Transient appearance of 5-amino-2,4-diiodoisophthalic acid, iodide release (2.7 mol iodide/mol ATIA) and accumulation of 5-aminoisophthalic acid indicated that ATIA was reductively dehalogenated. The enriched mixed culture also dehalogenated ATIA derivatives but deiodination remained incomplete. ATIA was the sole terminal electron acceptor used by the mixed culture during deiodination. The ratio of electrons transferred to ATIA, 0.83, was consistent with a respiratory metabolism. Formate, acetate, lactate, butyrate and hydrogen were also used as electron donors. Deiodination was inhibited by a headspace of air or by addition of nitrate, sulfite or thiosulfate. The reaction was 2.6 times slower with sulfate than without.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported financially by the Guerbet Group and ANVAR. We thank the Guerbet Group for technical assistance and for providing standard compounds. The experiments comply with the current laws of France.

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  1. D. Lecouturier

    Present address: Laboratoire de Technologie des Substances Naturelles, EUDIL, Boulevard Paul Langevin, 59 655 , Villeneuve d'Ascq cedex, France

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  1. Génie Chimique, Centre de Recherche de Royallieu, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, B.P. 20529, 60205, Compiègne cedex, France

    D. Lecouturier, A. Rochex & J.-M. Lebeault

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  1. D. Lecouturier
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Lecouturier, D., Rochex, A. & Lebeault, JM. Enrichment and properties of an anaerobic mixed culture that reductively deiodinates 5-amino-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalic acid, an X-ray contrast agent precursor. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 62, 550–556 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-003-1296-5

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