The high explosive hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is conventionally treated ex situ, but such strategies are energy-intensive and often generate by-products. To be more sustainable, these practices should be versatile, continuous, and produce minimal waste. Unlike conventional bioremediation strategies, phototrophs such as Rhodobacter sphaeroides can use sunlight as a source for cellular energy (ATP). Our studies compared biodegradation rates of RDX using R. sphaeroides under four different conditions: i) Aerobically, ii) Anaerobically via respiration, iii) Photosynthetically, in the presence of nitrogen and carbon dioxide, and iv) Photosynthetically in the presence of helium. Data suggest that R. sphaeroides can transform RDX into innocuous products under both respiratory and photosynthetic conditions; increased kinetic rates were observed when the bacteria were grown photosynthetically. Experiments using radiolabeled RDX demonstrate that the primary metabolite generated is carbon dioxide, which is utilized by the bacteria to build additional biomass.

Conversion of the explosive RDX into biomass using photosynthetic <i>Rhodobacter sphaeroides</i>

245th National Meeting (2013)

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Conversion of the explosive RDX into biomass using photosynthetic Rhodobacter sphaeroides