Isolation of novel bacteria able to degrade α-halocarboxylic acids by enrichment from environmental samples

In order to isolate novel bacteria able to degrade α-halocarboxylic acids a variety of culturing strategies were implemented. Eight pure cultures were obtained and were found to be associated with the Gram negative Proteobacteria and the Gram positive Bacillus and Enterococcus genera. Furthermore, several strains were obtained which were able to degrade the dl-halocarboxylic acids anaerobically. Molecular analysis of the pure cultures led us to conclude that they may posses novel enzymes involved in the biodegradation of the α-halocarboxylic acids. These results are the first for nearly 40 years to describe the isolation of Gram positive isolates on an α-halocarboxylic acid as the sole source of carbon and energy, which also show the ability to de-toxify the test substrate by releasing chloride.