Evaluation of transformation capacity for degradation of ethylene chlorides by Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

The transformation capacity (T(c)) of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b in the degradation of ethylene chlorides was determined by measuring the decrease of soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) activity of resting cells in batch experiments. All measurements of sMMO activity were taken in the presence of 20 mM formate to avoid the deficiency of reducing power, and within 2 hrs to avoid the effect of natural inactivation from instability of the resting cells. The constant T(c) values of 0.58 +/- 0.132 and 0.80 +/- 0.17 mumol/mg cell were obtained for trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,2-dichloroethylene (cis and trans-1,2-DCE), respectively, regardless of their concentrations. The transformation capacity measured by this method can be used to predict the amount of cells that should be stimulated in in-situ bioremediation