Benzylsuccinate synthase

Item code:

Contaminant:

Remediation Protocol:

Target Type:

BSS

Petroleum hydrocarbons

Anaerobic hydrocarbon oxidation

Contaminant degrading enzyme

qPCR Target Information

Benzylsuccinate synthase (bssA) is the key enzyme that attacks methyl groups on aromatic rings. It is therefore a key enzyme for anaerobic oxidation of toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene, but not benzene.

bssA is utilized by a variety of bacteria, including:

Denitrifiers (Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria) such as Azoarcus and Thauera species.
Iron-Reducing Bacteria (IRB): such as Geobacter spp.
Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB): such as Desulfatibacillum and Desulfoglaeba.

Micronovo's BSS target uses a complex primer design that measures bssA abundance across this wide variety of bacteria utilising anaerobic-oxidising pathways for toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene degradation.