Effect of Peroxide Pre-oxidation on Microbial Degradation of Toxic Wastes

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This is a Career Advancement award under NSF's Research Opportunities for Women. The objective of the research is to study the role of induced oxidation prior to biodegradation treatment of toxic chemicals. Three prominent model toxins have been chosen for study due to their prevalence, differences in composition, and expected response. Hydrogen peroxide oxidation is studied by adding peroxidase enzyme and hydrogen peroxide chemical. Microbes from toxic waste sites specific for each model compound is selected for the microbial degradation process. Biodegradation rates for each model compound with and without the forms of hydrogen peroxide is determined. The acceleration of biodegradation due to pre-oxidation is determined by the difference in these rates.