Degradation of nitrocellulose-based paint by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541

• Published in: Biodegradation (Dordrecht) Vol. 23; no. 5; pp. 705 - 716
• Main Authors: Giacomucci, L., Toja, F., Sanmartín, P., Toniolo, L., Prieto, B., Villa, F., Cappitelli, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.09.2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ammonification; Ammonium; Aquatic Pollution; Bacteria; Biodegradation; Biodegradation of pollutants; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Cellulose; Collodion - metabolism; Color; Desulfovibrio desulfuricans; Desulfovibrio desulfuricans - cytology; Desulfovibrio desulfuricans - enzymology; Desulfovibrio desulfuricans - metabolism; Environment and pollution; Explosives; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geochemistry; Humans; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Infrared spectroscopy; Life Sciences; Membrane separation; Microbiology; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Nitrate Reductase - metabolism; Nitrates; Nitrite Reductases - metabolism; Original Paper; Outdoor air quality; Paint; Paints; Soil Science & Conservation; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Spectrum analysis; Substrate Specificity; Terrestrial Pollution; Waste Management/Waste Technology; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Sulphate-reducing bacteria; Paint; Microbial degradation; Nitrocellulose; Biodegradation; Sulfate-reducing bacteria; Desulfovibrio desulfuricans; Cellulose nitrate; Bacteria
• ISSN: 0923-9820; 1572-9729
• DOI: 10.1007/s10532-012-9546-9

Nitrocellulose is one of the most commonly used compounds in ammunition and paint industries and its recalcitrance to degradation has a negative impact on human health and the environment. In this study the capability of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541 to degrade nitrocellulose as binder in paint was assayed for the first time. Nitrocellulose-based paint degradation was followed by monitoring the variation in nitrate, nitrite and ammonium content in the culture medium using Ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopy. At the same time cell counts and ATP assay were performed to estimate bacterial density and activity in all samples. Infrared spectroscopy and colorimetric measurements of paint samples were performed to assess chemical and colour changes due to the microbial action. Microscope observations of nitrocellulose-based paint samples demonstrated the capability of the bacterium to adhere to the paint surface and change the paint adhesive characteristics. Finally, preliminary studies of nitrocellulose degradation pathway were conducted by assaying nitrate- and nitrite reductases activity in D.   desulfuricans grown in presence or in absence of paint. We found that D.   desulfuricans ATCC 13541 is able to transform nitrocellulose as paint binder and we hypothesised ammonification as degradation pathway. The results suggest that D.   desulfuricans ATCC 13541 is a good candidate as a nitrocellulose-degrading bacterium.