Ethylene glycol, or 1,2-ethanediol, is used to produce substances such as plastics, solvents, surfactants, explosives and cosmetics. Many of these are discarded into waste treatment and landfills. Both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms can degrade ethylene glycol. While ethylene glycol cannot be used as a carbon source by wild-type E.coli, it can be utilized by isolated mutant strains. These strains contain two regulatory mutations: a mutation that increases propanediol oxidoreductase levels which functions to metabolize propanediol, and increased activity of Glycolaldehyde dehydrogenase to produce glycolate from glycolaldehyde.

Ethylene Glycol Degradation References