Microbial dehalogenation of 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl under anaerobic conditions.

Anaerobic cultures containing 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl (4,4'CB) were inoculated with various environmental samples. The degradation of the substrate was followed by gas chromatographic analysis. Three of the cultures tested showed an ability to dehalogenate the substrate, as judged by the presence of 4-chlorobiphenyl and biphenyl in those media inoculated with them.