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www.freepatentsonline.com/7341863.htmlMethod for the degradation of MTBE and TBA Document Type and Number:United States Patent 7341863
Abstract:A method for the degradation of methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE) and tertiary-butanol (TBA) using a mixture of
Pseudomonas putida is described. The method enables almost complete remediation
tinyurl.com/6mzd4vUnited States Patent 6,783,686
Leone , et al. August 31, 2004
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Method for removing the gasoline additive MTBE from water using molecularly imprinted polymers Abstract
A method and product for removing at MTBE molecules from a solution, such as a contaminated aquifer, includes exposing the solution to a plurality of molecularly imprinted polymer beads (MIPS) that have receptor sites on the surfaces thereof that include imprints that match the physical shape of at least a portion of an MTBE molecule. A quantity of the MTBE molecules align with and adhere to some of the receptor sites and, accordingly, they are removed from the solution producing a remediated solution. According to one embodiment, the MIPS are contained in an enclosure having a plurality of openings large enough to permit the solution to pass through and small enough so as to prevent the MIPS from passing through. According to a preferred embodiment the MIPS are applied (i.e., coated) to the inside surface of a conduit and the solution is forced or allowed to flow through the conduit thereby removing some of the MTBE molecules therefrom.
end excerpt
findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Sept_27/ai_n15633278above link- is to the manufacturer- of the Polymer bead- patent- for the MTBE remediationDeCaf Company to License Patented Inexpensive Removal of MTBE From Polluted Drinking Water
Business Wire, Sept 27, 2005
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Here it is- the remediation product that uses the Filamentous fungus Graphium sp- Bioremediation of Xenobiotics, Including Methyl tert-Butyl Ether
Reference ID: OSU 96-21, 96-22
Inventors: Michael Hyman, Lynda Ciuffetti, and Ken Williamson
Description:
Applications: MTBE is used as a gasoline oxygenate to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide from automobile exhaust. Current consumption of this compound in the US is approximately 25 billion pounds per year. MTBE is more water soluble than most gasoline components and has been detected in numerous groundwater supplies, presumably as the result of leaking gasoline storage tanks and accidental spills. Due to its ether bond, MTBE is very poorly biodegradable in the environment under a variety of conditions and, to date, no microorganism has been shown to degrade MTBE in pure culture. The US Environmental Protection Agency classifies MTBE as a possible human carcinogen and atmospheric releases of this compound are controlled under the Clean Air Act. The EPA has issued a health advisory for lifetime exposure to MTBE in drinking water; it now falls within 20 to 200 micrograms per liter. During a 16 state survey for 60 volatile organic compounds in groundwater, chloroform and MTBE were the two most frequently detected organics in eight urban areas sampled.
License Terms: Available for exclusive licensing.
Patent Status: US patent 6,194,197 issued February 27, 2001.
tinyurl.com/5pgq9dUnited States Patent 6,194,197
Hyman , et al. February 27, 2001
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Bioremediation of xenobiotics including methyl tert-butyl ether
Abstract
Microorganisms capable of co-metabolizing methyl tert-butyl ether are disclosed, along with methods for selecting microorganisms possessing such activity. Methods for bioremediation of MTBE-contaminated media and biofilter systems are also disclosed.
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Inventors: Hyman; Michael R. (Corvallis, OR), Williamson; Kenneth (Corvallis, OR), Ciuffetti; Lynda M. (Corvallis, OR)
Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR)
Appl. No.: 09/038,754
Filed: March 11, 1998
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Current U.S. Class: 435/262.5 ; 435/254.1
Current International Class: A62D 3/00 (20060101); B09C 1/10 (20060101); C12N 1/26 (20060101); C12N 1/14 (20060101); C02F 3/34 (20060101); B09B 003/00 ()
Field of Search: 435/262,262.5,254.1
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References Cited [Referenced By]
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U.S. Patent Documents
5814514 September 1998 Steffan et al.
Other References
Abstract, Hardison et al., Applied and Environmental Microbiology, vol. 63, No. 8, 3059-3067, 1997. .
Steffan et al., Biodegradation of the Gasoline Oxygenates Methyl tert-Butyl Ether, Ethyl tert-Bultyl Ether, and tert-Amyl Methyl Ether by Propane-Oxidizing Bacteria, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 63:4216-4222, 1997. .
Davies et al., Hyphomycetes utilizing natural gas, Can. J. Microbiol., 19:81-85, 1973. .
Sariaslani, Microbial Cytochromes P-450 and Xenobiotic Metabolism, Advances in Applied Microbiology, 36:133-178, 1991. .
Brady et al., Metabolism of methyl tertiary-butyl ether by rat hepatic microsomes, Arch. Toxicol. (1990) 64:157-160, 1990. .
Parales et al., Degradation of 1,4-Dioxane by an Actinomycete in Pure Culture, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 60:4527-4530, 1994. .
Mo et al., Biodegradation of methyl t-butyl ether by pure bacterial cultures, Appl. Microbiol Biotechnicol, 47:69-72, 1997. .
Steffan et al., Biodegradation of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE), Environmetal and General Applied Microbiology, Q-372, Apr., 1997, p. 517. .
McCarty, In situ bioremediation of chlorinated solvents, Currrent Opinion in Biotechnology, 4:323-330, 1993. .
Heydeman et al., Growth of Soil Bacteria on Diethyl Ether, Toxicological Profile for Methyl tert-Butyl Ether, Journal of General Microbiology, 81:ix-x, 1974. .
Mumtaz et al., Toxicological Profile for Methyl tert-Butyl Ether, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Report, 1994..
Primary Examiner: Redding; David A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Klarquist Sparkman Campbell Leigh & Whinston, LLP
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Parent Case Text
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PRIORITY CLAIM
This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/040,776, filed on Mar. 14, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Claims
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What is claimed is:
1. A method of degrading MTBE comprising:
(a) providing a pure culture of a Graphium species fungus capable of degrading MTBE as a co-metabolite of a gaseous n-alkane or a simple branched alkane; (b) providing the culture with a gaseous n-alkane, a simple branched alkane or a metabolite thereof; and
(c) contacting the culture with MTBE.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the gaseous n-alkane or simple branched alkane is selected from the group consisting of: ethane, propane, n-butane, n-pentane, isobutane and isopentane.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the fingal species is selected from the group consisting of: Graphium sp. (ATCC 58400); Graphium cuneiferum (ATCC 26545); and Graphiumputrendis (IMI 151810).
4. A method of selecting a Graphium species fungus for use in bioremediation of an MTBE-contaminated medium, the method comprising: (a) growing a pure culture of the Graphium species fungus in a suitable growth medium; (b) supplying the Graphium species fungus with a sufficient amount of at least one gaseous n-alkane or simple branched alkane, or a metabolite thereof;
(c) adding MTBE to the growth medium;
(d) assaying the growth medium to quantify MTBE degradation; and
(e) selecting a Graphium species fungus which degrades MTBE.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the assaying step is performed by detecting the presence of MTBE degradation products.
6. A method of degrading MTBE, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a Graphium species fungus selected according to claim 4;
(b) growing the Graphium species fungus on a suitable growth surface;
(c) providing the Graphium species fungus with a sufficient supply of a gaseous n-alkane or simple branched alkane or a metabolite thereof; and
(d) supplying MTBE to the Graphium species fungus.
7. A method of degrading a xenobiotic compound comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a pure culture of a Graphium species fungus capable of degrading the xenobiotic compound as a co-metabolite of a gaseous n-alkane simple branched alkane or a metabolite thereof;
(b) providing the culture with a gaseous n-alkane, simple branched alkane or a metabolite thereof; and
(c) contacting the culture with the xenobiotic compound.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the xenobiotic compound is selected from the group consisting of: MTBE, TAME, ETBE, DEE, naphthalene, dibenzofuren and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Mabee, Licensing Associate
Technology Transfer Office
Oregon State University
308 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2140, USA
E-mail: Sarah.Mabee@oregonstate.edu
Telephone: (541) 737-8100
Facsimile: (541) 737-3093
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Here is an article/abstract- on the Inhibition of Graphium sp on Gaseous n-alkanes-
The irony here- the Fungus was being 'inhibited' by Acetylene- ethylene and propylene-
And the the Fungus is now being used to inhibit the MTBE- going in circles here?
aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/62/6/2198Inhibition of Growth of a Graphium sp. on Gaseous n-Alkanes by Gaseous n-Alkynes and n-Alkenes
S Curry, L Ciuffetti and M Hyman
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2902
The growth of a filamentous fungus, a Graphium sp., on n-alkanes (C(inf2) to C(inf4)) was inhibited by low concentrations of acetylene, propyne, 1-butyne, ethylene, and propylene. Acetylene and other unsaturated hydrocarbons had no effect on the growth of the Graphium sp. on potato dextrose broth, ethanol, or acetate. Our results suggest that n-alkynes and n-alkenes are selective inhibitors of a nonspecific monooxygenase enzyme responsible for the initial oxidation of n-alkanes.