Halocarbon degradation by actinomycete strain T-1. Unlike the P. putida strains, the actinomycete strain extensively degraded only three compounds. All Pseudomonas putida strains were similar in their degradative abilities. They attacked aliphatic or aromatic compounds with double bonds. Though this does not mean they can degrade all the chemicals having these characteristics, it does suggest a possible mechanism of attack.
Further study is necessary using individual compounds to determine their fate.
It is possible that the affinity of the enzyme substrate interaction is lower for these compounds than those that were fully degraded. An important new discovery is that the yet unidentified actinomycete strain T1 was able to degrade some of the chlorinated compounds. In on-going experiments, each of these compounds is being examined individually with longer incubation times to provide definitive results on their degradation. The technical assistance of Dr. Russell P. Herwig and guidance and support of Dr. James T. Staley are greatly apreciated. I would like to thank both for their helpful discussions on the subject and their assistance in preparing this manuscript.