Degradation of phenol by Pseudomonas putida ATCC 11172 in continuous culture at different ratios of biofilm surface to culture volume

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5801404

Molin, G; Nilsson, I

Pseudomonas putida ATCC 11172 was grown in continuous culture with phenol as the only carbon and energy source; a culture practically without biofilm was compared with biofilm cultures of differing surface area/volume ratios. The biofilm did not significantly affect the maximal suspended cell concentration in the effluent, but it increased the maximal phenol reduction rate from 0.23 g/liter per h (without biofilm) to 0.72 g/liter per h at the highest biofilm level (5.5 cm/sup 2/ of biofilm surface per ml of reactor volume). The increase in phenol reduction rate was linear up to the surface area/volume ratio of 1.4 cm/sup 2//ml. The continuous cultures with biofilms could tolerate a higher phenol concentration of the medium (3.0 g/liter) than the nonbiofilm system (2.5 g/liter). At higher dilution rates an intermediate product, 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde, accumulated in the culture. When the biomass of the effluent started to decrease, the concentration of 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde, accumulated in the culture. When the biomass of the effluent started to decrease, the concentration of 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde reached a peak value. The authors conclude that biofilms in continuous culture have the potential to enhance the aerobic degradation of aromatic compounds.

• Research Organization: Swedish Meat Research Institute, Kaevlinge
• OSTI ID: 5801404
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 50:4; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560302* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
AROMATICS
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTINUOUS CULTURE
DECOMPOSITION
FILMS
GROWTH
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENOL
PHENOLS
PSEUDOMONAS
REACTION KINETICS