Quinones as terminal electron acceptors for anaerobic microbial oxidation of phenolic compounds

Francisco J. Cervantes, Sjirk Van Der Velde, Gatze Lettinga, Jim A. Field

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

The capacity of anaerobic granular sludge for oxidizing phenol and p-cresol under anaerobic conditions was studied. Phenol and p-cresol were completely converted to methane when bicarbonate was the only terminal electron acceptor available. When the humic model compound, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate, was included as an alternative electron acceptor in the cultures, the oxidation of the phenolic compounds was coupled to the reduction of the model humic compound to its corresponding hydroquinone, anthrahydroquinone-2,6-disulfonate. These results demonstrate for the first time that the anaerobic degradation of phenolic compounds can be coupled to the reduction of quinones as terminal electron acceptor.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)313-321
Number of pages9
JournalBiodegradation
Volume11
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • AQDS
  • Electron acceptor
  • Humus
  • Phenol
  • Quinones

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Microbiology
  • Bioengineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution

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