Biodegradation of TNT by Ruminant Microbes

The recipient of the 2013 Industry Partnering Award from Oregon State University, A. Morrie Craig, PhD, is a former director of the endophyte laboratory at Oregon State University. Morrie Craig has authored or co-authored more than 200 research publications, including “Anaerobic transformation of 2,4,6-TNT by bovine ruminal microbes.”

A yellow and odorless solid substance, 2,4,6 trinitrotoluene, also called TNT, is a synthetic material that is commonly used for the manufacture of grenades and other explosives. Accumulation of TNT in the environment can be toxic to human health and may be hazardous to plants and animals.

Research was conducted to examine the degradation of TNT by ruminant microbes. During the study, fluids from the rumen of SHEEP were collected, as they are known to contain microbes that carry out fermentation processes and aid the digestion of cellulose in environments that lack oxygen. TNT was added to the fluids, and the mixture was incubated for 24 hours. Supernatant samples were taken and analyzed at the initial stage and at the FIRST, fourth, and twenty-fourth hours.

Within the first hour, TNT compounds had undergone conversion into several other compounds, and further analysis of the new compounds showed that most were products of reduction (addition of hydrogen). At the 24th hour, no traces of ultraviolet-absorbing TNT intermediates were seen. This suggested total conversion or destruction of the TNT.