Molecular Characterization of 2-Chlorobiphenyl Degrading Stenotrophomonas maltophilia GS-103

The catabolic potential of transformer oil contaminated soil bacteria in aerobic degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were assessed. Transformer oil contaminated soil sample was subjected to microcosm enrichment experiments (PAS medium/biphenyl as sole carbon source). PCB-degrading activity of the enrichment cultures in PAS medium with the addition of 2-chlorobiphenyl were analysed by GC–MS indicated that, although the isolates differed in PCB-degrading capabilities, all of the enrichment cultures expressed activity toward at least some of the lower chlorinated congeners. Biphenyl-utilizing bacteria isolated from the most active PCB-degrading mixed cultures showed little taxonomic diversity and identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia GS-103.