Phenolic Pollutants Research Articles

Further exploitation of metabolic potential for catechol biodegradation of Klebsiella sp. CD33.

Microbial-mediated degradation of phenolic pollutants (e.g., catechol) has been a critical concern for sewage treatment, while exploiting the strain resources and fully characterizing the metabolic potential of functional microbes for toxic refractory catechol are the key and study-worthy issues. In this study, up to 32 strains originally isolated from phenol-contaminated environments were phylogenetically affiliated with the genus Klebsiella and identified to have the ability of catechol degradation, with strain CD33 as the excellent one. Single-factor experiments determined that strain CD33 exhibited a highly efficient catechol degradation under the conditions of temperature 35°C, initial pH value of 7.0, and inoculum volume of 30.0% (v/v). To preliminarily validate the possible pathway of catechol biodegradation, concentration variation of the initial enzyme (i.e., catechol 1,2 dioxygenase) and the corresponding metabolic intermediate (i.e., cis,cis-muconic acid) were detected, suggesting that strain CD33 can degrade the catechol uniquely via the ortho-cleavage pathway. Furthermore, a combination of genome-wide identification, homologous modeling, and gene expression analysis was employed to elucidate the complete pathway of catechol degradation, especially in which a novel branch mediated by CMBL gene was responsible for the direct conversion of (+)-muconolactone into 3-oxoadipic acid. Collectively, this study extends our understanding of catechol degradation of Klebsiella spp., which may provide an alternative promising avenue for the practical application of pollutant remediation.

Thermophilic lignin-based laccase nanozyme with CuNx center for the detection of epinephrine and degradation of phenolic pollutants.

Natural laccases are a family of multi‑copper oxidases that can oxidize multiple phenol substrates and of great importance to contaminant remediation and biosensing. However, the construction of substitutes for the expensive and perishable laccase used in harsh conditions remains a great challenge. Here, we reported a novel strategy for the fabrication of copper-doped lignin-based laccase nanozymes (Cu-AL) through the coordination of aminated lignin and different copper sources. The Cu-AL prepared from CuSO4, possessed highest Cu content and Cu+ proportion, exhibited the best laccase-like activity to various phenols degradation. Strikingly, the thermophilic Cu-AL exhibited superior catalytic activity at 100 °C (3.23 times than that of 60 °C) and durability (> 50 % activity even after 160 days stored in water). Furthermore, a smartphone-based detection platform was successfully developed to achieve the rapid, convenient, and accurate detection of epinephrine concentration. In summary, this work provides a new sustainable and low-cost way to design robust laccase nanozymes from lignocellulose biomass, especially for expanding the applications of enzymatic reaction with high-temperature operation and/or long-term storage in environmental remediation and biosensing.

Biodiversity of Diatoms as Indicators of Water Quality and Landscape Sustainable Dynamics in the Zarafshan River, Uzbekistan

For the first time, we have compiled a general list of diatoms for the Zarafshan River consisting of 428 species based on our own research and the literature data. Indicator species for nine water parameters were identified, making up more than 90% of the list. Bioindicators and statistical methods revealed that sections of the river around the city of Samarkand and further in the middle reaches reflect the complexity of the impact of the environment on diatom communities. The surveyed sections of the middle reaches of the river are divided into branches and the dynamics of water parameters and diatom communities are shown from the border with Tajikistan to the confluence of the Zarafshan with the Amu Darya. The indices of organic pollution, S, and toxic impact, WESI, were calculated. They show that there is an increase in salinity and turbidity and a decrease in organic pollution downriver. At the same time, the Navoi section is a source of water acidification. Nutrients and heavy metals, as well as phenol pollution, enter the river from various sources, mainly in the middle reaches of the river. The Zarafshan Nature Reserve in the catchment area of the upper section of the river within Uzbekistan is important for maintaining water quality. Bioindicators show an increase in self-purification, with an increase in the species richness and abundance of diatoms in the middle section of the Zarafshan River. The integrated index of river pollution, RPI, shows that most pollution comes from the northern canal of the river in the middle reaches. A general look at the Zarafshan River catchment basin and the dynamics of the identified water parameters and bioindicator species of diatoms shows that the river ecosystem successfully copes with incoming pollution, including transboundary impacts from Tajikistan. Such a conclusion could not be made based on chemical analysis of the water alone. This allowed us to recommend expanding state monitoring points to the lower section of Karakul while including biological indicators in the observations.

Molecular dynamics simulation of modified bentonite and barrier mechanism of phenol pollution in groundwater

Molecular dynamics simulation of modified bentonite and barrier mechanism of phenol pollution in groundwater

Activation of peroxymonosulfate by MnOOH/g-C3N5: Study on highly selective removal of phenolic pollutants and its non-radical pathway

In this research, the MnOOH/g-C3N5 material was successfully synthesized, demonstrating its efficacy in selectively removing phenolic organic pollutants. This material outperformed traditional free radical pathways, exhibiting higher selectivity, enhanced persulfate utilization efficiency, and strong resistance to background anions and complex organic matter. Using phenol as the target pollutant, the MnOOH/g-C3N5/PMS system achieved 81 % mineralization, a PMS utilization efficiency of 88 %, and a 75 % process unit energy consumption value in degrading phenol. This efficient degradation is attributed to the synergistic effects of high-valence metal oxides (MnV(O)/MnIV(O)), singlet oxygen (1O2), and electron transfer complexes, as confirmed by electrochemical analysis and In-situ EPR. Additionally, Transmission Electron Microscopy observations disclosed the development of an amorphous shell on the MnOOH/g-C3N5 surface post-reaction. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy analysis suggested an enhanced charge transfer resistance, further affirming the role of MnOOH/g-C3N5 as an "electron transfer station" in the electron transfer process, accompanied by the formation of electron transfer complexes. This study provides crucial scientific insights and theoretical guidance for applying MnOOH/g-C3N5 materials in environmental engineering.

Enhanced removal of phenolic pollutants over MnO2 initiated by peracetic acid: In situ generation of a heterogeneous Mn(III)-hydroperoxo complex

Widely distributed manganese oxides are among the strongest oxidants in nature and effectively enhance the water decontamination by peracetic acid (PAA) activation. However, the precise mechanism requires further investigation. In this work, the intrinsic mechanism of PAA activation by MnO2 was systematically studied. Through in situ diffuse-reflectance UV–vis spectra and resonance Raman spectra, the active species was identified as a non-radical heterogenous Mn(III)-hydroperoxo complex. During the process, PAA drastically converted Mn(IV) in MnO2 into homogeneous Mn(II), which subsequently generated the active Mn(III) species in the aid of PAA on the surface of MnO2. By interacting with pollutants, the peroxide bond in Mn(III)-hydroperoxo broke, accompanied by the regeneration of Mn(IV). Eight phenolic compounds having para-substituent of –CH3, −H, −Cl, –COCH3, –CHO, –COOH, –COOCH3, and –NO2 were selected for degradation. Due to the electrophilic character of Mn(III)-hydroperoxo, the removal rates were 100 %, 100 %, 98.8 %, 69.8 %, 49.6 %, 30.2 %, 28.1 %, and 3.0 % respectively at the 45 min of experiment. The MnO2/PAA system was also readily coupled with a filtration membrane for continuous treatment of phenol in nearly 100 % removal efficiency. This study not only offered an efficient non-radical PAA activation protocol for water decontamination, but also elucidated the catalytic mechanism and redox cycle of MnO2 in PAA solution in the selective oxidation process.

Simultaneous Determination of Phenolic Pollutants based on Electrochemical Oxidation by Nanoporous Gold

Abstract Phenolic compounds, as highly toxic pollutants, can cause great harm to human beings and the environment even at very low concentrations. Therefore, the simultaneous detection of multiple phenolic pollutants is critically valuable for environmental monitoring. Here, an electrochemical sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified by nanoporous gold (NPG) was successfully developed for the determination of phenolic pollutants including phenol (Ph), hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CT), and o-nitrophenol (ONP), which realized not only the sensitive individual detection of each phenolic pollutant but also the sensitive simultaneous detection of these four phenolic pollutants. For the simultaneous detection, the limits of detection of Ph, HQ, CT, and ONP were 0.85, 0.17, 0.19, and 1.30 μM as well as the sensitivities of 0.24, 1.17, 1.08, and 0.16 μA μM−1 cm−2, respectively. Additionally, the NPG/GCE electrochemical sensor exhibited good stability and anti-interference capability. The recovery rates of Ph, HQ, CT, and ONP in seawater samples and wastewater samples ranged from 94.64% to 105.87%. These results indicated that the prepared NPG/GCE electrochemical sensor may be an ideal choice for the reliable simultaneous detection of multiple phenolic pollutants.

Laccase‐Copper Nanohybrids as Highly Active Catalysts for Bio‐degradation

AbstractPhenolic contamination is one of the crucial concerns for the safety of drinking water. Enzymatic degradation is a green and efficient manner for phenolic compounds removal from water. However, enzymatic degradation of phenolic pollutants in water is limited as a result of the low activity, stability and reusability of the enzyme. Herein, we propose a novel strategy to degrade phenolic pollutants in water by using an enzyme‐metal hybrid catalyst constructed by in situ formation of ultrafine Cu nanoparticles on the cross‐linked Laccase aggregates. The designed Cu/Lac CLEAs showed excellent performance on phenolic pollutants removal due to the cooperative catalysis between Lac CLEA and Cu NPs and the enrichment of phenolic pollutants in hybrid catalyst. The degradation efficiency of 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol catalyzed by Cu/Lac CLEAs was improved by 33 % compared to the Lac CLEAs, while Cu NPs barely catalyzed the degradation process of phenolic pollutants. The Cu/Lac CLEAs hybrid catalyst exhibit high catalytic activity at room temperature in a wide pH range of 5–8, making the degradation of phenolic pollutants more practically operational. In other words, this study develops a novel hybrid catalyst for the efficient removal of pollutants from water.

Laccase-like nanozyme fabricated by Cu2+-doped ZIF8 for dopamine determination and catalytic degradation of phenolic pollutants

Laccase-like nanozyme fabricated by Cu2+-doped ZIF8 for dopamine determination and catalytic degradation of phenolic pollutants

Photocatalysis of Adsorbed Catechol on Degussa P25 TiO2 at the Air-Solid Interface.

Semiconductor photocatalysis with commercial TiO2 (Degussa P25) has shown significant potential in water treatment of organic pollutants. However, the photoinduced reactions of adsorbed catechol, a phenolic air pollutant from biomass burning and combustion emissions, at the air-solid interface of TiO2 remain unexplored. Herein we examine the photocatalytic decay of catechol in the presence of water vapor, which acts as an electron acceptor. Experiments under variable cut-off wavelengths of irradiation (λcut-off ≥ 320, 400, and 515 nm) distinguish the mechanistic contribution of a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) complex of surface chemisorbed catechol on TiO2. The LMCT complex injects electrons into the conduction band of TiO2 from the highest occupied molecular orbital of catechol by visible light (≥2.11 eV) excitation. The deconvolution of diffuse reflectance UV-visible spectral bands from LMCT complexes of TiO2 with catechol, o-semiquinone radical, and quinone and the quantification of the evolving gaseous products follow a consecutive kinetic model. CO2(g) and CO(g) final oxidation products are monitored by gas chromatography and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The apparent quantum efficiency at variable λcut-off are determined for reactant loss (Φ- TiO2/catechol = 0.79 ± 0.19) and product growth ΦCO2 = 0.76 ± 0.08). Spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements reveal the energy band diagram for the LMCT of TiO2/catechol. Two photocatalytic mechanisms are analyzed based on chemical transformations and environmental relevance.

Mechanism of o-cresol polymerization and its carbon recovery from aqueous solution by a cathode/Fe2+/H2O2 process

Converting organic pollutants into easily recyclable solid polymers has the advantages of saving oxidants and recovering organic carbon, compared to degrading them into smaller organic molecules. Taking o-cresol as a representative phenolic pollutant, this study realizes the dominant reaction of organic polymerization and the recovery of organic carbon from wastewater via a cathode/Fe2+/H2O2 process. With HO• initiation, 53 % of chemical oxygen demand is removed in the form of suspended solid polymers and equivalent organic carbon is recovered. At the same time, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal reaches 64 %, and the H2O2 consumption is only a quarter of that in an ideal degradation process. The recovered solid polymers are oligomers derived from o-cresol and its derivatives, with the molecular weight ranging from 400 to 2500 Da. The polymerization pathway involves repeated HO• oxidation and coupling of intermediate organic radicals. The energy consumption is 26.7 kWh/kg DOC, significantly lower than that of previous Fenton-like processes in the literature. This study broadens the scope of polymerization-based technologies for organic wastewater treatment, and demonstrates that HO• has the potential to simultaneously reduce organic pollution and recover organic carbon by generating suspended solid organic polymers, which may provide new avenues for H2O2-based Fenton processes toward resource recovery and water purification.

Study on the carbon sequestration performance and barrier mechanism of biochar cement-based vertical cutoff walls for phenol pollution in groundwater

Study on the carbon sequestration performance and barrier mechanism of biochar cement-based vertical cutoff walls for phenol pollution in groundwater

Fabrication of a 2D/2D g-C3N4@ZnTDA nanosheets catalyst for highly efficient degradation of 2,4-dibromophenol and improved flame retardancy of polyurethane foam

High charge separation and transfer efficiency are considered as key factors of photocatalysts in wastewater treatment applications. In this work, a high performance photocatalyst g-C3N4@ZnTDA was designed and applied through a facile solvothermal strategy. The microstructural, morphological, physicochemical, and photoelectrochemical properties of g-C3N4@ZnTDA were fully characterized. The photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4@ZnTDA nanoparticles under visible light source in degrading the 2,4-dibromophenol(2,4-dB) contaminants was also successfully studied. Additionally, the g-C3N4@ZnTDA composite demonstrates easy operation and good regeneration ability, making it highly promising for the efficient removal of phenolic pollutants from wastewater. Besides, a novel reutilization method for used catalyst as flame retardant and for PU foams was successfully testified. The MCN-3 as a fire-safety coating could reduce the heat release and improve flame retardancy of PU composites. This work opens a new window for valuable inspiration and structural design of reutilized MOF composites.

Proton vs Electron: The Dual Role of Redox-Inactive Metal Ions in Permanganate Oxidation Kinetics.

Redox-inactive metal-ion-driven modulation of the oxidation behavior of high-valent metal-oxo complex has garnered significant interest in biological and chemical synthesis; however, their role in permanganate (Mn(VII)) oxidation for the removal of organic pollutants has been largely neglected. Here, we uncover the impact of six metal ions (i.e., Ca2+, Mg2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Al3+, and Sc3+) presenting in water environments on Mn(VII) activity. These ions uniformly boost the electron and oxygen transfer capabilities of Mn(VII) while impeding proton transfer, as evidenced by electrochemical tests, thioanisole probe analysis, and the kinetic isotope effect. The observed effects are intricately linked to the Lewis acidity of the metal ions. Further mechanistic insights reveal that Mn(VII) can interact with metal ions without direct reduction. Such interactions modify the electronic configuration of Mn(VII) and create an acidic microenvironment, thus increasing its electrophilicity and the energy barrier for the abstraction of proton from organic substrates. More importantly, the efficacy of Mn(VII) in removing phenolic pollutants is regulated by these ions through changing the driving force for proton and electron transfer, i.e., facilitated at pH > 4.5 and inhibited at lower pH. The contribution of active Mn intermediates is also discussed to reveal the oxidative mechanism of the metal ion/Mn(VII) system. These findings not only facilitate the rational design of Mn(VII) oxidation conditions in the presence of metal ions for water decontamination but also offer an alternative paradigm for enhancing electrophilic oxidation.

Surface-iodine-grafting-induced local electric field drives charge separation of CdBiO2Br for excellent photocatalytic antibiotic degradation

Photocatalytic technology has demonstrated immense potential in environmental purification, particularly in the degradation of antibiotics that pose serious health risks. However, the rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and the limited light absorption capacity, which are major obstacles, severely hinder the photocatalytic degradation activity. Herein, the surface halogen-grafting strategy is introduced to address these issues in a Sillén-related layer-structured photocatalyst, CdBiO2Br (CBOB). The iodine-grafted CBOB nanosheets deliver a superb tetracycline hydrochloride photodegradation efficiency of 72.36 % within one hour, which is 2.44 times higher than that of the original CBOB. Additionally, they demonstrated a broad-spectrum degradation capability against various antibiotics and phenolic pollutants, such as ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol hydrochloride, bisphenol A, highlighting their practical and industrial value. Mechanistic studies indicated that the high electronegativity of iodine could induce a surface dipole polarization effect to form localized electric fields that efficiently drive the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, and, on the other hand, improve light absorption, which profoundly boosts the photocatalytic degradation process, as corroborated by experimental and theoretical results collectively. This work provides a foundation for understanding the highly electronegative halogen grafting-induced surface local electric field and offers new insights for the future design of high-performance environmental purification materials.

Assembly of artificial photo-enzyme coupling nanoreactor for boosting photodegradation of trace bisphenol A pollutant in water

It is a difficult issue to remove the trace persistent organic phenolic pollutants in water. Herein, a new artificial horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/hierarchical carbon nitride (HCN) photo-enzyme coupling nanoreactor is assembled by immobilizing HRP on HCN, which achieves the high-efficiency degradation performance for trace bisphenol A (BPA) in water. Besides the promoted charge separation efficiency as well as visible light harvest capacity, the hollow and abundant pores structure of HCN/HRP can provide a confinement effect and molecular diffusion channels to promote photo-enzyme synergic catalytic effect, thus boosting degradation reaction of BPA. Compared with original HCN, the optimal HCN/HRP-3 sample obtain a higher degradation rate of 0.0575 min−1, which is 3.60 and 125 times as large as that over original HCN (0.016 min−1) and HRP (0.00046 min−1), respectively. Meanwhile, the mineralization ability of the HCN/HRP photo-enzyme coupling nanoreactor is enhanced dramatically owing to the far higher TOC removal efficiency of BPA with 81.05 % within 60 min than original HCN (37.63 %). The photocatalytic reaction mechanism investigations demonstrate that h+, •O2− and •OH all take part in the degradation process of BPA and the importance order of h+ > •O2− > •OH. This work provides an innovative design philosophy for the assembly of photo-enzyme synergic catalytic system to effectively remove the organic pollutants in water.

In Situ Ligand-Transformation-Assisted Assembly of a Polyoxometalate and Silver-Phosphine Oxide Cluster for Colorimetric Detection of Phenol Contaminants.

In situ ligand transformation strategies represent an efficient pathway for constructing function-oriented polyoxometalate (POM)-based crystalline materials. Herein, three POM-based hybrid networks were synthesized through in situ transformation of the phosphine ligand, formulated as [Ag(dppeo)6][H2PMo12O40]·5H2O (1), [Ag(dedpo)]4[SiW12O40]·6H2O (2), and [Ag(dppeo)]3[PW12O40]·3H2O (3) (dedpo = (2-(diphenylphosphaneyl)ethyl)diphenylphosphine oxide; dppeo = ethane-1,2-diylbis(diphenylphosphine oxide)). During the synthesis of these compounds, the 1,2-diphenylphosphine ethane molecule underwent in situ oxidation, transforming into dppeo and dedpo ligands, respectively. Compound 1 features a supramolecular architecture assembled from [Ag(dppeo)3]+/[Ag2(dppeo)6]2+ cationic clusters with disordered Ag centers and protonated [H2PMo12O40]- anions. Compound 2 presents a 3-D POM-supported metal-organic framework consisting of binuclear [Ag(dedpo)]22+ units, {-dedpo-Ag-dedpo-} chains, and [SiW12O40]4- polyoxoanions. Compound 3 displays a 2-D layered structure formed by {-dppeo-Ag3-dppeo-} chains and [PW12O40]3- clusters. Pronounced argentophilic interactions are observed in compounds 1 and 3. The three compounds demonstrate satisfactory heterogeneous catalytic activity in the colorimetric detection reactions toward phenol pollutants with detection limits of 1.73, 1.92, and 4.6 μM, respectively. Additionally, compounds 1-3 show high anti-interference capabilities and high sensitivity in differentiating phenol from its halogenated derivatives. This work presents some guidance for designing specific function-oriented POM-based materials via an in situ ligand transformation strategy.

Rapid synthesis of novel S-scheme CaBi6O10/Bi2WO6 heterojunction film for efficient p-chlorophenol photocatalytic degradation

Efficient photocatalysts played a crucial role for degrading phenol pollutants in wastewater and vital for environmental remediation. In this study, a series of novel CaBi6O10/Bi2WO6 (CBO/BWO) step-scheme (S-scheme) heterojunction films were synthesized on the glass substrates through a facile and rapid spraying-calcination method. The CBO/BWO film demonstrated superior visible-light-driven catalytic activity for p-chlorophenol (4-CP) degradation within the fixed-bed photoreactor setup, compared with those of the single-component samples. Typically, the optimal 40CBO/BWO catalyst achieved 4-CP degradation efficiency of approximately 89.5 % after only 60 min under light exposure, attributed to the enhanced visible-light-absorption property and effective charge separation within the S-scheme heterojunction while maintaining high redox abilities among photoinduced carriers. Furthermore, the CBO/BWO catalyst displayed robust resistance to various metal cationic additives. Multiple key intermediates, such as phenol, dihydroxybenzene, benzoquinone and maleic acid, were identified in catalyzing process of 4-CP decomposition via oxidation processes involving hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radical as the primary active species. The above feasible photodegradation mechanism was elucidated and proven. Hence, this work offers valuable insights into developing efficient heterostructure photocatalysts for practical application of environmental remediation.

Degradation of phenol by metal-free electro-fenton using a carbonyl-modified activated carbon cathode: Promoting simultaneous H2O2 generation and activation

The low yield of hydrogen peroxide, narrow pH application range, and secondary pollution due to iron sludge precipitation are the major drawbacks of the electro-Fenton (EF) process. Metal-free electro-Fenton technology based on carbonaceous materials is a promising green pollutant degradation technology. Activated carbon cathodes enriched with carbonyl functional groups were prepared using a two-step annealing method for the degradation of phenol pollutants. The •OH in the activation process of H2O2 were identified using the EPR test technique. The action mechanism of carbonyl groups on H2O2 activation was investigated in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The EPR tests demonstrated that the modified activated carbon could promote the in-situ activation of H2O2 to •OH. And the results of material analysis and DFT showed that C=O could facilitate the activation of hydrogen peroxide through the electron transfer mechanism as an electron-donating group. Electrochemical tests showed that both the oxygen reduction activity and 2e−ORR selectivity of the modified activated carbons were significantly improved. Compared with the original activated carbon cathode and EF, the degradation efficiency of phenol in the ACNH-1000/GF cathode was increased by 58.10% and 45.61%, respectively. Compared with EF, ACNH-1000/GF metal-free electro-Fenton effectively expands the pH application range, and is proven to be less affected by solution initial pH, while avoiding secondary pollution. The metal-free electro-Fenton system can save more than a quarter of the cost of EF system. This study has a deep understanding of the reaction mechanism of the carbonyl modified activated carbon, and provides valuable insights for the design of metal-free catalysts, so as to promote its application in the degradation of organic pollutants.

Unveiling superior phenol detoxification and degradation ability in Candida tropicalis SHC-03: a comparative study with Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4742.

This study examined the phenol degradation capabilities and oxidative stress responses of Candida tropicalis SHC-03, demonstrating its metabolic superiority and resilience compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4742 in a culture medium with phenol as the sole carbon source. Through comparative growth, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses under different phenol concentrations, this study revealed C. tropicalis SHC-03's specialized adaptations for thriving in phenol as the sole carbon source environments. These include a strategic shift from carbohydrate metabolism to enhanced phenol degradation pathways, highlighted by the significant upregulation of genes for Phenol 2-monoxygenase and Catechol 1,2-dioxygenase. Despite phenol levels reaching 1.8 g/L, C. tropicalis exhibits a robust oxidative stress response, efficiently managing ROS through antioxidative pathways and the upregulation of genes for peroxisomal proteins like PEX2, PEX13, and PMP34. Concurrently, there was significant upregulation of genes associated with membrane components and transmembrane transporters, enhancing the cell's capacity for substance exchange and signal transduction. Especially, when the phenol concentration was 1.6 g/L and 1.8 g/L, the degradation rates of C. tropicalis towards it were 99.47 and 95.91%, respectively. Conversely, S. cerevisiae BY4742 shows limited metabolic response, with pronounced growth inhibition and lack of phenol degradation. Therefore, our study not only sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underpinning phenol tolerance and degradation in C. tropicalis but also positions this yeast as a promising candidate for environmental and industrial processes aimed at mitigating phenol pollution.