Biochemical and microbial analysis of ovine rumen fluid incubated with 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX).

In this study, the rumen was assessed for its potential to detoxify RDX using molecular microbial ecology as well as analytical chemistry techniques. Results indicated significant loss (P < 0.05) of RDX in <8-h post incubation, and qualitative LC-MS/MS analysis showed evidence for the formation of 1-NO-RDX (M-O + HCOO) and methylenedinitramine metabolites. A total of 1106 16S rRNA-V3 clones were sequenced, and most sequences associated with either the phyla Bacteroidetes or Firmicutes. A LibCompare analysis for the RDX treatment showed an enrichment (P < 0.01) of the genus Prevotella. From these results, it can be concluded that the rumen is capable of detoxifying RDX, and the members of the genus Prevotella are linked to this detoxification.