C. G. Ginkel, M. A. Pomper, C. A. Stroo
1995
Citations
1
Influential Citations
13
Citations
Journal
Tenside Surfactants Detergents
Abstract
Fatty amines are subject to microbial degradation in the environment. Dodecylamine and dodecyldimethylamine are degraded within one week in the Closed Bottle test. Didodecylamine and didodecylmethylamine are less easily degraded but still reach 60% degradation within 4 weeks. The biodegradability of dodecyldimethylamine and didodecylmethylamine in Closed Bottle tests inoculated with soil, river water and ditch water is comparable to the test inoculated with activated sludge. Pure cultures capable of utilizing the readily biodegradable fatty amines as a sole carbon and energy source were isolated from activated sludge. In general, the substrate specificity of the isolates is related to the number of long alkyl chains of the fatty amines. Degradation of dodecylamine and didodecylamine by pure cultures is accompanied by the liberation of ammonia. Dodecyldimethylamine and didodecylmethylamine are oxidized by splitting off the alkyl chain(s) and leaving dimethylamine and methylamine, respectively, for further oxidation by other microorganisms.