Environmentally Responsible Microbiological Production of Energetic Ingredients; Final rept. 24 Mar 2006-24 Jun 2007

摘要

In this SERDP proof-of-concept project, Infoscitex evaluated a possibility to generate explosives nitramines (RDX, HMX) using biosynthetic approaches. Nitramines are widely used by the U.S. military as key components of contemporary weapons. However, production of these nitroenergetics involves the use of highly concentrated hot nitric and sulfuric acids, results in the emission of nitrogen oxides, and is also a potential health hazard. The development of an alternative process for producing nitro-energetic compounds under milder conditions, in an environmentally friendly manner, and in higher yields would result in a significant saving and improvement of the quality of life in the surrounding communities. The focus of this SERDP effort was to develop microorganisms capable of catalyzing bioconversion (oxidation- nitration) of the common RDX precursor, hexamine, into RDX in presence of nitrite and peroxide.