Isolation and characterization of an estrogen-degrading Pseudomonas putida strain SJTE-1.

In this report, Pseudomonas putida SJTE1 isolated from an enrichment culture of sludge was confirmed to degrade natural estrogens (17β-estradiol, estrone, estriol), estrogenic chemicals (naphthalene and phenanthrene) and testosterone. The strain completely degraded 1 mg/L 17β-estradiol in 24 h and transformed it into estrone; 90% and 75% of 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L 17β-estradiol were utilized in 7 days, respectively. The transformation efficiency of this strain against natural estrogens was much higher than that against other estrogenic chemicals. Organic carbon sources, lipopolysaccharide and surfactants could enhance the degradation efficiency of strain SJTE-1 against 17β-estradiol. The adsorption of 17β-estradiol onto the biomass was the premise for transmembrane and cellular utilization of this chemical. This work has the potential to bioremediate the environmental estrogens.