Nitroglycerin biodegradation: Theoretical thermodynamic considerations

Abstract Biochemical transformation of nitroglycerin (glycerol trinitrate, GTN) has been broadly established, yet its mineralization as a sole carbon and energy source has not. This manuscript examines whether there are thermodynamic reasons why GTN can not serve as a sole carbon and energy source for microbial growth based on hypothetical pathways for biochemical transformation, and considers the stoichiometric limitations for the removal of the released nitrite or nitrate ions during GTN transformation. The results of these analyses indicate that growth on GTN as sole carbon and energy source is thermodynamically feasible under both aerobic and anoxic conditions, and that maximal nitrite and nitrate removal is achievable under anoxic conditions when denitrification is incomplete.