Moreira, Irina S.Amorim, Catarina L.Carvalho, Maria F.Castro, Paula M. L.2013-05-022013-05-022012MOREIRA, Irina S. ...[ et al.] - Degradation of difluorobenzenes by the wild strain Labrys portucalensis. Biodegradation. ISSN 1572-9729. Vol. 23, N.º 5 (2012), p. 653–6620923-9820http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/10410This study focuses on the biodegradation of difluorobenzenes (DFBs), compounds commonly used as intermediates in the industrial synthesis of various pharmaceutical and agricultural chemicals. A previously isolated microbial strain (strain F11), identified as Labrys portucalensis, able to degrade fluorobenzene (FB) as sole carbon and energy source, was tested for its capability to degrade 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-DFB in batch cultures. Strain F11 could use 1,3-DFB as a sole carbon and energy source, with quantitative release of fluoride, but 1,4-DFB was only degraded and defluorinated when FB was supplied simultaneously. Growth of strain F11 with 0.5 mM of 1,3-DFB led to stoichiometric release of fluoride ion. The same result was obtained in cultures fed with 1 mM of 1,3-DFB or 0.5 mM of 1,4-DFB, in the presence of 1 mM of FB. No growth occurred with 1,2-DFB as substrate, and degradation of FB was inhibited when supplied simultaneously with 1,2-DFB. To our knowledge, this is the first time biodegradation of 1,3-DFB as a sole carbon and energy source, and cometabolic degradation of 1,4- DFB, by a single bacterium, is reported.engDifluorobenzenesBiodegradationCometabolismInhibitionLabrys portucalensisjournal article10.1007/s10532-012-9541-11572-9729WOS:000307295800003