United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Urs Lendenmann

Jim C Spain

Shirley F Nishino

Dinitrotoluene present as a contaminant in a sample, is degraded by the steps of (a) providing a sample comprising dinitrotoluene; (b) adding to the sample at least one bacterial strain capable of degrading at least one dinitrotoluene isomer under aerobic conditions; (c) producing aerobic conditions in the sample; and (d) maintaining the aerobic conditions in the sample for a time that is sufficient for the bacteria to degrade said dinitrotoluene. In one embodiment, at least one bacterial strain capable of degrading the 2,4-dinitrotoluene isomer under aerobic conditions is added to the sample. In another embodiment, at least one bacterial strain capable of degrading the 2,6-dinitrotoluene isomer under aerobic conditions is added to the sample. In yet another embodiment, at least one bacterial strain capable of degrading both the 2,4-dinitrotoluene isomer and the 2,6-dinitrotoluene isomer under aerobic conditions is added to the sample. In a further embodiment, a mixed culture of bacteria that degrade both isomers under aerobic conditions is added to the sample.

Growing community of inventors

Rehetobel, Switzerland

Urs Lendenmann