Catalytic dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls in soil by palladium-iron bimetallic catalyst.

Pd/Fe bimetallic particles were synthesized by chemical deposition and used to dechlorinate 2,2',4,5,5'-pentachlorobiphenyl in soil. Batch experiments demonstrated that the Pd/Fe bimetallic particles could effectively dechlorinate 2,2',4,5,5'-pentachlorobiphenyl. Dechlorination was affected by several factors such as reaction time, Pd loading, the amount of Pd/Fe used, initial soil pH, and 2,2',4,5,5'-pentachlorobiphenyl concentration.

[Study on phytoremediation of phenanthrene-contaminated soil with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)].

Pot experiment was used to investigate phytoremediation of phenanthrene-contaminated soil with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Results indicated that phenanthrene had inhibitive effect on alfalfa growth, and higher phenanthrene concentration seriously prevent alfalfa growth.

[Microorganisms of Lake Baikal and Lake Nyasa as indicators of anthropogenic influence: prospects of use in biotechnology].

Restriction endonucleases (RENs) were detected in 650 microbial strains isolated from water columns and bottom sediments of deep rift lakes, Baikal (Russia) and Nyasa (Southeastern Africa). They enzymes included unique (Fan I, Aca I, and Sse 91) and very rare (Bsi I, and Cci N I) species not typical of aquatic ecosystems. Water columns, deep cores, and bottom sediments of pure areas of the lakes contained no microorganisms with new RENs.

[Restriction endonuclease Sse9I from Sporosarcina sp. strain 9D recognizes the 5'-AATT-3' DNA sequence].

A new restriction endonuclease Sse9I was isolated from the bacterial strain Sporosarcina sp. 9D. The enzyme belongs to Type II restrictases and recognizes the tetranucleotide sequence 5'-AATT-3'.

[Restriction endonuclease Sse9I (correction of Sse91) from Sporosarcina strain SP.9D recognizes the 5'-AATT-3' DNA sequence].

Sse91, a type II restriction endonuclease, has been isolated from Sporosarcina species 9D. The recognition sequence and cleavage point of restriction endonuclease Sse91 have been determined as 5'-decrease AATT-3'. The new enzyme is an isoschizomer of Tsp5091, but its optimal incubation temperature is 55 degrees C and it is inactivated at 65 degrees C for 20 min.