Rhodococcus opacus and Nocardioides simplex metabolites and enzymes during biodegradation of picric acid

Abstract

Nitrophenols and polynitrophenols are introduced into the environment through the anthropogenic activity. As a consequence of their uses over the years there are many places heavily contaminated with these xenobiotics. Picric acid (trinitrophenol) is a toxic yellow odourless xenobiotic biodegradable by many microorganisms. Several metabolites and enzymes have been detected and purified from Rhodococcus opacus HL PM-1 and Nocardioides simplex FJ2-1A as parts of productive catabolic route. In this paper a comparative analysis of known metabolites and enzymes has been presented. It also suggests a catabolic potential and evolutionary implications of large linear megaplasmids detected in both strains since the bacteria are not evolutionary related.