Quantitative Colorimetric Determination of Trichloroethylene Degradation Activity and Implications for Environmental Use

Abstract

A simple and quantitative method for determing trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation activities of methanotrophic bacteria was developed. This method consisted of two reaction steps such as the naphthalene oxidation reaction catalyzed by the soluble methane monooxygenase of methanotrophic bacteria, and followed by the color reaction of naphthalene oxidation products with tetrazotized-o-dianisidine to form purple diazo dyes. Using two TCE-degrading methanotrophs, Methylocystis sp. M and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, optimal conditions for this quantitative assay were determined. In addition, the applicability of this method to soil samples was investigated, and the method was shown to be effective for in situ use.

Keywords:

• Naphthalene
• trichloroethylene
• biodegradation
• methanotroph