Benzoyl-CoA reductase

Item code:

Contaminant:

Remediation Protocol:

Target Type:

BCR

Petroleum hydrocarbons

Anaerobic hydrocarbon oxidation

Contaminant degrading enzyme

qPCR Target Information

In the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions), bacteria cannot use oxygenases to break down aromatic rings. Instead, they activate aromatic compounds to benzoyl-CoA.

Because the benzene ring is highly stable, it must be reduced (dearomatised) first. Benzoyl-CoA is the substrate for benzoyl-CoA reductase (BCR), which uses electrons and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to reduce the ring, forming a non-aromatic cyclohexadiene ring. This unlocks the door for further bioremediation.

This Benzoyl-CoA qPCR gene target is used by denitrifiers for this key step.