Metabolic Pathway of Phenol Degradation of a Cold-Adapted Antarctic Bacteria, Arthrobacter sp.

Phenol is an important pollutant widely discharged as a component of hydrocarbon fuels, but its degradation in cold regions challenging due to the harsh environmental conditions. To date, there little information available concerning capability for phenol biodegradation by indigenous Antarctic bacteria. In this study, enzyme activities and genes encoding degradative enzymes identified using whole genome sequencing (WGS) were investigated determine pathway(s) Arthrobacter sp. strains AQ5-05 AQ5-06, originally isolated from Antarctica. Complete involved only ortho-cleavage detected both strains. This was validated assays catechol 1,2-dioxygenase 2,3-dioxygenase, which indicated activity strains, agreement with results WGS. Both psychrotolerant optimum temperature degradation, being between 10 15 °C. study suggests potential use cold-adapted bacteria bioremediation pollution environments.