Biodefluorination and biotransformation of fluorotelomer alcohols by two alkane‐degrading Pseudomonas strains
Abstract
Fluorotelomer alcohols [FTOHs, F(CF(2))(n) CH(2)CH(2)OH, n = 4, 6, and 8] are emerging environmental contaminants. Biotransformation of FTOHs by mixed bacterial cultures has been reported; however, little is known about the microorganisms responsible for the biotransformation. Here we reported biotransformation of FTOHs by two well-studied Pseudomonas strains: Pseudomonas butanovora (butane oxidizer) and Pseudomonas oleovorans (octane oxidizer). Both strains could defluorinate 4:2, 6:2, and 8:2 FTOHs, with a higher degree of defluorination for 4:2 FTOH. According to the identified metabolites, P. oleovorans transformed FTOHs via two pathways I and II. The pathway I led to the production of x:2 ketone [dominant metabolite, F(CF(2))(x)C(O)CH(3); x = n - 1, n = 6 or 8], x:2 sFTOH [F(CF(2))(x)CH(OH)CH(3)], and perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs, perfluorohexanoic, or perfluorooctanoic acid). The pathway II resulted in the formation of x:3 polyfluorinated acid [F(CF(2))(x) C(2)CH(2) COOH] and relatively minor shorter-chain PFCAs (perfluorobutyric or perfluorohexanoic acid). Conversely, P. butanovora transformed FTOHs by using the pathway I, leading to the production of x:2 ketone, x:2 sFTOH, and PFCAs. This is the first study to show that individual bacterium can bio-transform FTOHs via different or preferred transformation pathways to remove multiple --CF(2) -- groups from FTOHs to form shorter-chain PFCAs.
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The pathway and end products of 6:2 FTOH biotransformation are affected by microbial strain types, enzyme inducers and reducing energy.
“Previous studies have reported that the pathway and end products of 6:2 FTOH biotransformation are affected by microbial strain types, enzyme inducers and reducing energy (Kim et al., 2014; Kim et al., 2012).”
From Formation of perfluorocarboxylic acids from 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) in landfill leachate: Role of microbial communities (2020) · cites this paper as Kim et al., 2012
A number of 6:2 FTOH-degrading strains have been screened, enriched, and domesticated, including Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5, Pseudomonas fluorescens DSM 8341, Pseudomonas oleovorans, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and Pseudomonas butanovora.
“Currently, a number of 6:2 FTOH-degrading strains have been screened, enriched, and domesticated, including Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5, Pseudomonas fluorescens DSM 8341, Pseudomonas oleovorans, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and Pseudomonas butanovora (Kim et al., 2012; Lewis et al., 2016; Tseng et al., 2014).”
From Biotransformation of perfluoroalkyl acid precursors from various environmental systems: advances and perspectives (2021) · cites this paper as Kim et al., 2012
FTOH-degrading bacteria include Pseudomonas butanovora, Pseudomonas oleovorans, and Pseudomonas fluorescens DSM 8341.
“FTOH degrading bacteria include Pseudomonas butanovora, Pseudomonas oleovorans and Pseudomonas fluorescens DSM 8341 (Kim et al., 2012; Lewis et al., 2016; Yu et al., 2018).”
From Biotransformation of perfluoroalkyl acid precursors from various environmental systems: advances and perspectives (2021) · cites this paper as Kim et al., 2012
FTOHs in bacteria can degrade into a variety of short-chain PFCAs through a common pathway.
“Several studies have reported that FTOHs in bacteria can degrade into a variety of short-chain PFCAs through a common pathway (Kim et al., 2012, 2014b; Wang et al., 2012b).”
From Biotransformation of perfluoroalkyl acid precursors from various environmental systems: advances and perspectives (2021) · cites this paper as Kim et al., 2012
The presence of PFUDA in surface water was attributed to degradation of 10:2 FTOHs.
“the presence of PFUDA in surface water was attributed to the degradation of 10:2 FTOHs (Kim et al., 2012).”
From Per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as a contaminant of emerging concern in surface water: A transboundary review of their occurrences and toxicity effects (2021) · cites this paper as Kim et al., 2012
PFAS contamination was reported in multiple parts of Asia including India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and others.
“PFAS contamination was reported in multiple parts of Asia including India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and many others (Duong et al., 2015; Habibullah-Al-Mamun et al., 2016; Kim et al., 2012; Lam et al., 2017; Nguyen et al., 2011; Sakurai et al., 2016; Sharma et al., 2016; Yeung et al., 2009).”
From Per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as a contaminant of emerging concern in surface water: A transboundary review of their occurrences and toxicity effects (2021) · cites this paper as Kim et al., 2012
Kim et al. (2012) followed the biodegradation reaction of 4:2, 6:2 and 8:2 FTOH in a mixed bacterial culture with two Pseudomonas strains and identified two branched pathways leading to shorter chain PFCAs including PFBA, PFHxA, PFOA and ketones (5:2 ketone for 6:2 FTOH and 7:2 ketone for 8:2 FTOH) as major transformation products in 28 days.
“Kim et al. (2012) followed the biodegradation reaction of 4:2, 6:2 and 8:2 FTOH in a mixed bacterial culture with two Pseudomonas strains and identified two branched pathways leading to shorter chain PFCAs in- cluding PFBA, PFHxA, PFOA and ketones (5:2 ketone for 6:2 FTOH and 7:2 ketone for 8:2 FTOH) as major transformation products in 28 days (Table 3).”
From A review of microbial degradation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Biotransformation routes and enzymes (2023) · cites this paper as Kim et al. (2012)
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- Authors
- Kim, M. H., Wang, N., McDonald, T., & Chu, K.
- Affiliations
- Texas A&M University (US)
- Venue
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2012-06-04
- Volume
- 109
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 3041-3048
- ISSN
- 0006-3592 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-0290
- OpenAlex
- W2170265533
- Cited by
- 142
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 20 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 3.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
- Keywords
- fluorotelomer alcohols, biotransformation, Pseudomonas oleovorans, perfluorinated carboxylic acids, alkane-degrading bacteria, transformation pathways, environmental pollutants, perfluorinated compounds
- MeSH terms
- Alkanes, Biodegradation, Environmental, Biotransformation, Environmental Pollutants, Fluorocarbons, Pseudomonas, Metabolic Networks and Pathways
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