Composition and method for degradation of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds
US5968360A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S210/909
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods and compositions are disclosed for the microbial degradation of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) at a concentration of 100-200 mg/kg soil in contaminated environments, using natural, non-toxic, environmentally-acceptable compounds for application to such environments, such that PCB-contaminated environments are bioremediated by inducing a metabolic pathway in PCB-degrading microbes. Inoculated or indigenous PCB-degrading microbes, such as Arthrobacter strain B1B are induced to decontaminate the PCBs. Also disclosed are a plant and chemical screening assays for identifying plants that produce metabolites which promote PCB cometabolism. Further disclosed is a method for bioremediating PCB-contaminated environments in a commercially practical manner using l-carvone, a nontoxic and inexpensive chemical component of spearmint, for the in situ cleanup of PCB-contaminated soils, to induce Arthrobacter strain B1B to cometabolize and to substantially degrade PCBs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.