Rhodococcus opacus Strain FG1, a Psychrotolerant Degrader of Mono-, Di-, and Trichlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) have been detected in abiotic objects worldwide, including Arctic and Antarctic areas. PCB removal from Arctic and Antarctic environments is hindered by low temperatures. In the present work, an aerobic bacterial strain FG1 degrading mono-, di-, and trichlorinated biphenyls at 4°C is described. Analysis of the full-genome sequence supported classification of the isolate as a Rhodococcus opacus strain. The bph operons encoding the enzymes of the “upper” and “lower” biphenyl pathways were identified. After five days of incubation, strain FG1 degraded 67.4–100% of monochlorinated biphenyls, 90.4% of dichlorinated biphenyl, and 81.4–97.3% of trichlorinated biphenyls. Transformation of chlorinated biphenyls occurred via formation of the relevant chlorobenzoic acids.