[Possibilities for the deep bacterial destruction of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene].

The possibility of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) deep destruction (the aromatic cycle fission inclusive) by Pseudomonas fluorescens B-3468 is reported for the first time. The formation of nitrogen-free metabolites, viz. phloroglucinol and pyrogallol, is preceded by the NAD(P)H-dependent deamination of 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene (2,4-DA), a TNT intermediate.