Biotransformation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by obligate marine Shewanella marisflavi EP1 under anaerobic conditions

Anaerobic transformation of 2,4-DNT by obligate marine Shewanella marisflavi EP1 was investigated. The cell growth of EP1 was proportional to the total amount of 2,4-DNT reduced. The eventual transformation product was 2,4-diaminotoluene, via 2-amino-4-nitrotoluene and 4-amino-2-nitrotoluene as intermediates. The presence of Cu 2+ , dicumarol, metyrapone and flavins intensively influenced the reduction activity of 2,4-DNT, suggesting that dehydrogenease, menaquinone, cytochromes and flavins are essentially involved in electron transport process for 2,4-DNT reduction. These results indicate that biotransformation of 2,4-DNT by EP1 is a form of microbial anaerobic respiration. Furthermore, EP1 was capable of transforming 2,4-DNT at relatively alkaline range of pH (7–9), and at a wide range of temperature (4–40   °C) and salinity (2–8% NaCl concentration). Our findings not only deepen our understanding of the environmental fate of 2,4-DNT, but also provide an extension to the application of shewanellae in the site bioremediation and/or wastewater treatment.