Aromatic Hydrocarbon Degradation: A Molecular Approach

摘要

Aromatic hydrocarbons have a ubiquitous distribution in nature. The majority ofthese compounds are formed through the pyrolysis of organic matter. Pyrolysis at high temperatures leads to the formation of unsubstituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Pyrolysis at low temperatures, such as those at which crude petroleum is formed, leads to the formation of alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons. Many of these compounds are suspected carcinogens. Increased use of petrochemicals by modern society has increased the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons found in air and soil samples. It is not surprising then that due to the ubiquitous nature and increasing concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons microorganisms can be found that have the ability to degrade these compounds. The varied mechanisms by which microorganisms utilize aromatic hydrocarbons as carbon and energy sources have been the focus of several reviews.