Biodegradation of tetrabromobisphenol A by a novel Comamonas sp. strain, JXS-2-02, isolated from anaerobic sludge

A bacterial strain able to rapidly degrade tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), JXS-2-02, was isolated from anaerobic sludge that had been successfully enrichment by adding TBBPA for 240 days. JXS-2-02 can use TBBPA as the sole carbon and energy source for growth in mineral salt medium. Based on morphology, biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, JXS-2-02 was identified as Comamonas sp.. Under the optimal conditions (pH 7.0, a temperature of 30 °C and an inoculum of 1% OD600 = 0.6), more than 86% of the initial TBBPA (0.5 mg L−1) was degraded after 10 d. A TBBPA biodegradation pathway was proposed on the basis of the metabolite production patterns and the identification of the metabolites by GC–MS analysis. This study is the first report to isolate a single TBBPA-degrading bacterial strain under anaerobic conditions for TBBPA debromination and detoxification.