Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is widely used as an oxygenating agent in gasoline to reduce harmful emissions. However, previous studies have demonstrated that MTBE is a cytotoxic substance that has harmful effects in vivo and in vitro. Although remarkable progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms underlying the MTBE‑induced reproductive toxicological effect in different cell lines, ...

ether (MTBE) determination in specific groundwater matrices. It demonstrates the importance of laboratory selection for compound analysis based upon technical experience and instrument capabilities. This method study was performed in support of a treatment technology demonstration for MTBE conducted under the EPA Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation program. MTBE is an oxygenate added to ...

The initial reactions in the cometabolic oxidation of the gasoline oxygenate, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), by Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5 have been characterized. Two products, tert-butyl formate (TBF) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), rapidly accumulated extracellularly when propane-grown cells were incubated with MTBE. Lower rates of TBF and TBA production from MTBE were also observed with cells...

The environmental fate and biological effects of the fuel oxygenate methyl-tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) is of concern because, among other factors, it is highly soluble in water. Thus ground and surface water contamination may occur through accidental exposures and spills. Little is known about the biodegradability and ecotoxicity of MTBE. We found that MTBE added to carbon-limited microbial con...

In order to replace antiknock leaded derivatives in gasoline, legislations were enacted in the United States and other countries to find safer additives and to reduce CO, O3, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in non-attainment areas. Oxygenates commonly used include various alcohols and aliphatic ethers. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is the most widely used and studied ether oxygenate and ...

The current concern over point-source and non-point-source contamination of ground water by methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) has increased the need for a better understanding of the processes that control its environmental fate. As part of an ongoing study to characterize the potential for natural attenuation of MTBE, we have prepared a series of model column aquifers to investigate the pathways ...

This study utilized the electrocatalytic characteristics of nickel electrode to perform degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in aqueous solution. Lab experiments were conducted in a spiltless bath type cell equipped with a nickel electrode as working electrode, a platinum wire as counter electrode, and an Ag/AgCl electrode as reference electrode. Effects of controlled potential, suppor...

Methyl-t-butylether (MTBE) is a synthetic ether that is mainly used as a fuel additive: it replaces lead in gasoline, increasing the anti-knock rating. Next to this it serves as an intermediate in the production of isobutylene and as a process solvent in the pharmaceutical industry. In clinical practice MTBE is used to dissolve gallstones. At room temperature MTBE is a colourless liquid with a ...

Among the few bacteria known to utilize methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as a sole carbon source, Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1 is a well-characterized organism with a sequenced genome; however, knowledge of the genetic regulation of its MTBE degradation pathway is limited. We investigated the role of a putative transcriptional activator gene, mdpC, in the induction of MTBE-degradation genes mdp...

Cells of Mycobacterium vaccae were grown in toluene, ethanol, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and glycerol, exhibiting different degrees of tolerance towards these compounds, and being able to use both ethanol and glycerol as sole carbon and energy sources. Cellular adaptation to ethanol and MTBE led to significant changes in the membrane fatty acid (FA) composition, by modifications in the prop...