Aerobic degradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by individual bacterial strains and defined mixed population in submerged cultures

► The degradation efficiency of DNTs was compared for pure strains and their mixture. ► The defined mixed culture degraded 2,4-DNT faster than any of its components. ► The mixed culture featured short lag periods in 2,4-DNT degradation. ► The mixed bacterial culture was shown to degrade 2,4-DNT in the presence of 2,6-DNT.