Journal article

Publication year: 2005

Pages: 106-112

Journal: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Volume number: 67

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 0175-7598

eISSN: 1432-0614

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-004-1693-4

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
The aerobic degradation of the natural hormone 17-beta-estradiol (E2) and the synthetic hormone 17-alpha-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) was investigated in batch experiments with activated sludge from a conventional and a membrane sewage treatment plant. E2 was converted to estrone (E1), the well known metabolite, and further completely transformed within 3 days. The turnover rates of E2 did not differ greatly between conventional and membrane activated sludge. EE2 was persistent in both sludges. By several transfers into fresh E2-medium an enrichment culture could be selected that used E2 as growth substrate. Further enrichment and isolation led to a defined mixed culture consisting of two strains, which were identified by a polyphasic approach as Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Ralstonia sp., respectively. The culture used E2 and E1 as growth substrates and transformed estriol (E3) and 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone but not the xenoestrogens bisphenol A, alpha-zearalenol, mestranol or EE2. The turnover rates of E2 were 0.025-0.1 microg h(-1) cfu(-1) and did not depend on the steroid concentration.

Harvard Citation style: Weber, S., Leuschner, P., Kämpfer, P., Dott, W. and Hollender, J. (2005) Degradation of estradiol and ethinyl estradiol by activated sludge and by a defined mixed culture., Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 67(1), pp. 106-112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-004-1693-4

APA Citation style: Weber, S., Leuschner, P., Kämpfer, P., Dott, W., & Hollender, J. (2005). Degradation of estradiol and ethinyl estradiol by activated sludge and by a defined mixed culture.. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 67(1), 106-112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-004-1693-4