Degradation of phenol and chlorophenols by mixed and pure cultures

Abstract

The enrichment of mixed cultures for species capable of degrading phenol and chlorophenols, as well as the isolation of pure cultures are investigated. The cultures obtained are capable of degrading phenol and chlorophenols (pentachlorophenol 2,3,5,6 tetrachlorophenol and 2,4,6 trichlorophenol) but not 2,4,5 trichlorophenol. The results suggest the feasibility of the use of toxic chemicals as phenols, hexadecane and other chlorophenols as co-substrates in field decontamination processes. The inhibitory effect of PCP is shown, and the influence of a readily degradable ancillary carbon source on the performance of pure cultures is reported, as well as the preliminary identification of the bacteria that showed higher PCP degrading activity.

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