Optimal microbial adaptation routes for the rapid degradation of high concentration of phenol.

Pseudomonas fluorescence KNU417 was able to degrade up to 700 mg/L of phenol in 65 h but could not degrade 1,000 mg/L of phenol. Phenol degradation rate was noticeably enhanced by pre-adaptation. In addition, the cell was able to degrade up to 1,300 mg/L of phenol by pre-adapting to 700 mg/L of phenol.

Comparison between entrapment methods for phenol removal and operation of bioreactor packed with co-entrapped activated carbon and Pseudomonas fluorescence KNU417.

A microorganism capable of degrading phenol was isolated from crude oil contaminated soil and identified as Pseudomonas fluorescence. A porous polymer bead of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Xanthan gum was found to be the best entrapment for phenol degradation in terms of bead shape (spherical form), bead strength, non-agglomeration, phenol degradation rate, and cell holding inside the bead. Activated carbon was co-immobilized with the microorganism in the bead, which readily adsorbed phenol to decrease initial phenol concentration.