Extracellular degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A via biogenic reactive oxygen species by a marine Pseudoalteromonas sp.

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) has attracted considerable attention due to its ubiquitous presence in different environmental compartments worldwide. However, information on its aerobic biodegradability in coastal environments remains unknown. Here, the aerobic biodegradation of TBBPA using a Pseudoalteromonas species commonly found in the marine environment was investigated. We found that extracellular biogenic siderophore, superoxide anion radical (O2•-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hydroxyl radical (•OH) were involved in TBBPA degradation. Upregulation of genes (nqrA and lodA) encoding Na+-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase and l-lysine-ε-oxidase supported the extracellular O2•- and H2O2 production. The underlying mechanism of TBBPA biodegradation presumably involves both O2•- reduction and •OH-based advanced oxidation process (AOP). Furthermore, TBBPA intermediates of tribromobisphenol A, 4-isopropylene-2,6-dibromophenol, 4-(2-hydroxyisopropyl)-2,6-dibromophenol, 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and 2-bromobenzoic acid were detected in the culture medium. Debromination and β-scission pathways of TBBPA biodegradation were proposed. Additionally, membrane integrity assays revealed that the increase of intracellular catalase (CAT) activity and the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) might account for the alleviation of oxidative damage. These findings could deepen understanding of the biodegradation mechanism of TBBPA and other related organic pollutants in coastal and artificial bioremediation systems.