Elsevier

Chemosphere

Volume 17, Issue 1, 1988, Pages 111-121
Chemosphere

Microbial transformation of technical mixtures of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) by the fungus Aspergillusniger

https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-6535(88)90049-5Get rights and content

Abstract

The fungus Aspergillus niger was tested in a replacement culture technique on its ability to transform technical mixtures of polychlorinated biphenyls such as Clophen A 30, A 50 and A 60. A. niger was selected, because it is widespread in the environment and is discussed as microbial model of mammalian aromatic hydroxylation. The results demonstrate, that A. niger is capable of metabolizing lower chlorinated PCB mixtures (PCB 42 % chlorine), whereas no changes of the composition of PCB with higher chlorination levels (PCB 54 % and 60 % chlorine) could be observed. Substitution in the 4- or 2,5(3,6)-position, respectively, favor the persistence of PCB congeners to the biotransformation by A. niger. A relative order of persistence can be derived for the different congeners found in PCB 42 % chlorine.

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