Biodegradation Capability and Enzymatic Variation of Potentially Hazardous Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons—Anthracene and Pyrene by<i>Anabaena fertilissima</i>

Abstract

This study encompasses the biodegradation capacity of Anabaena fertilissima to model PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon) compounds namely Anthracene (ANT) and Pyrene (PYR) at different LC50 concentrations viz., 5.0 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L, respectively, on growth in terms of Chlorophyll-a and protein. Depletion in chlorophyll-a and protein content was registered with rise in PAHs concentration while the inhibition of nitrogen fixing enzymes such as nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activity was also concentration dependent and showed more sensitivity for high molecular weight aromatic compound PYR as compared to ANT. GC/MS analysis explained the degradation of ANT by 46% and PYR by 33%, at 5.0 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, the common degraded product for ANT was 2, 4-Dimethyl-1-heptene and for PYR it was 2, 3, 4-Trimethylhexane. Results indicate that PYR was more stable and recalcitrant compared to ANT. This study suggests that Anabaena fertilissima could be used for bioremediation of ANT and PYR pollution in surface waters and terrestrial environments.