Isolation of Pseudomonas sp. Strain HB01 Which Degrades the Persistent Brominated Flame Retardant γ-Hexabromocyclododecane

Abstract

In this study, we isolated Pseudomonas sp. strain HB01 from a soil sample contaminated with brominated pollutants, and found that it degraded γ-hexabromocyclododecane (γ-HBCD). The strain degraded 81% of 1 mM γ-HBCD within 5 d of culture. Furthermore, it demonstrated biodegradation of structurally related (bromo) alkanes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that outlines the isolation of a bacterial strain that degrades γ-HBCD.