Purification and Characterization of Hydrolytic Haloalkane Dehalogenase from Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10

A new enzyme, haloalkane dehalogenase, was isolated from the 1,2-dichloroethane-utilizing bacterium Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10. The purified enzyme catalyzed the hydrolytic dehalogenation of n-halogenated C1 to C4 alkanes, including chlorinated, brominated, and iodinated compounds. The highest activity was found with 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,3-dichloropropane, and 1,2-dibromoethane. The enzyme followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and the Km for 1,2-dichloroethane was 1.1 mM. Maximum activity was found at pH 8.2 and 37°C. Thiol reagents such asp-chloromercuribenzoate and iodoacetamide rapidly inhibited the enzyme. The protein consists of a single polypeptide chain of a molecular weight of 36,000, and its amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence are given.

Biofuel and other biomass based products from contaminated sites - Potentials and barriers from Swedish perspectives

(1) Marginal land in Sweden; (2) Phytoremediation - remediation, control or increased natural attenuation; (3) Bioenergy; (4) Available additional resources - recycled manure, compost and municipal waste; (5) Bioenergy from contaminated land; (6) Environmental impacts; (7) Social and economical aspects; (8) Opportunities and barriers in Sweden; Appendices: (1) Arable area of potential contaminated sites in Sweden; (2) Phyto remediation measures, advantages and disadvantages; (3) Brief summary of biofuel methods/techniques and the level of development, advantages and disadvantages; (4) Examples of ongoing activities and reseach promoting bioenergy and other alternatives to fossil fue