Kinetics of arsenite oxidation by Variovorax sp. MM-1 isolated from a soil and identification of arsenite oxidase gene

► As(III)-oxidizing bacterium was isolated from a low arsenic contained soil. ► The strain was identified by 16S rRNA as Variovorax sp. ► It oxidized As(III) to As(V) very rapidly with low Km and high Vmax kinetic value. ► The strain showed high tolerance to both As(III) and As(V). ► Arsenite oxidase (aoxB) gene was identified and characterized.