The ability of Spirulina spp. to metabolize the recalcitrant xenobiotic Dequest 2054®
[hexamethylenediamine-N,N,N
,N
-tetrakis(methylphosphonic acid)], a CaSO4 inhibitor used for
boiler treatment and reverse osmosis desalination, was investigated. The compound served as sole
source of phosphorus, but not of nitrogen, for cyanobacterial growth. In vivo utilization was followed
by 31P NMR analysis. T