Biotransformation of trinitrotoluene (TNT) by Streptomyces species

Composting has been proposed as one process for use in the bioremediation of 2,4,6 trinitrotoluene (TNT)-contaminated soils. However, the biotransformations of TNT that occur during composting, and the specific compost microorganisms involved in TNT metabolism, are not well understood. Both mesophilic and thermophilic actinomycetes are important participants in the biodegradation of organic matter, and possibly TNT, in composts. Here the authors report on the biotransformation of TNT by Streptomyces species growing aerobically in a liquid medium supplemented with 10 to 100 mg/L of TNT. Streptomyces spp. are able to completely remove TNT from the culture medium within 24 hours. As has been observed with other bacteria, these streptomycetes transform TNT first by reducing the 4-nitro and 2-nitro groups to the corresponding amino group; reducing TNT first to 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene and then 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene. These intermediates are transitory and are themselves removed from the medium within 7 days.