Abstract
Phenol is highly toxic and carcinogenic compound and its biodegradation is very important to meet the environmental regulations. The paper presents the main results obtained from the study of phenol biodegradation process by pure culture of Microbacterium terregenes isolated from NORM soil collected from oil field. The environmental factors affecting phenol degradation such as pH of mineral salt media (MSM), temperature, immobilized biomass weight and stirring were studied. The experimental work was carried out by using bacterial cells immobilized within calcium alginate (CA) gel beads in batch experiments. The optimum conditions for phenol degradation were found to be; pH 7.0, stirring 120 rpm and temperature 30 °C. The strain was highly efficient for phenol degradation. It could degrade phenol at maximum concentration of 700 mg/l within three days also, the effect of heavy metals (cobalt and copper) on bacterial growth and the rate of phenol degradation were studied.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
