Microbial Degradation of Cyclonite (RDX)

摘要

The explosive, cyclonite (RDX), had previously resisted degradation by microorganisms. The report describes experiments in which a microbial system containing purple photosynthetic bacteria is used to degrade RDX. The hypothesis is advanced that the RDX molecule is not actually metabolized, but is reduced and modified as a result of the active electron transfer brought about by the anaerobic photosynthetic activity of the organisms. This concept of indirect change may be applicable to other microbial processes in which similarly recalcitrant molecules could be modified and degraded. (Author)