Anaerobic transformation of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) by ovine rumen microorganisms

• Published in: Research in microbiology Vol. 163; no. 8; pp. 567 - 575
• Main Authors: Perumbakkam, Sudeep, Craig, A.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Issy-les-Moulineaux Elsevier Masson SAS 01.09.2012; Elsevier Masson
• Subjects: 16S rRNA; Anaerobiosis; Animals; Azocines - metabolism; Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biota; Biotransformation; Chromatography, Liquid; Cluster Analysis; DNA, Bacterial - chemistry; DNA, Bacterial - genetics; DNA, Ribosomal - chemistry; DNA, Ribosomal - genetics; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HMX; LC–MS/MS; Microbiology; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogenetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics; Rumen; Rumen - metabolism; Rumen - microbiology; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sheep; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Phylogenetics; 16S rRNA; Rumen; HMX; LC–MS/MS; Stomach; Farming animal; Digestive system; Phylogeny; Vertebrata; Mammalia; LC―MS/MS; 16S-RNA; Sheep; Artiodactyla; Microorganism; Veterinary; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0923-2508; 1769-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2012.08.001

Explosives such as octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) provide a challenge in terms of bioremediation. In the present study, sheep rumen was studied for its potential to detoxify HMX using analytical chemistry and molecular microbial ecology tools. Results indicated significant loss (p < 0.05) of HMX at 8 h post-incubation and complete disappearance of the parent molecule after 16 h. Qualitative LC–MS/MS analysis provided evidence for the formation of 1-NO-HMX and MEDINA metabolites. A total of 1006 16S rRNA-V3 clones were sequenced and the Classifier tool of the RDPII database was used to sort the sequences at their phylum level. Most sequences were associated with either the phylum Bacteroidetes or Firmicutes. Significant differences at the phylum level (p < 0.001) were found between 0 h and 8 h HMX treatments. Using LibCompare analysis, 8 h HMX treatment showed enrichment of clones (p < 0.01) belonging to the genus Prevotella. From these results, it could be concluded that members of the genus Prevotella are enriched in the rumen and are capable of detoxifying HMX.