Phenol biodegradation by Pseudomonas putida DSM 548 in a batch reactor.

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Biochemical engineering
• Bioremediation

Background:

• Phenol is a common industrial pollutant and a toxic compound.
• Bioremediation using microorganisms is a sustainable approach for phenol removal.
• Understanding biodegradation kinetics is crucial for efficient process design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the biodegradation kinetics of phenol using Pseudomonas putida DSM 548.
• To determine the kinetic constants governing microbial growth and phenol consumption in a batch reactor.
• To evaluate the applicability of the Haldane model for describing phenol biodegradation.

Main Methods:

• Cultivation of pure Pseudomonas putida DSM 548 in a batch reactor.
• Monitoring of biomass growth rates and phenol concentration over time.
• Mathematical modeling of biodegradation kinetics using the Haldane equation.

Main Results:

• The Haldane equation accurately described the cell growth kinetics of Pseudomonas putida DSM 548.
• Key kinetic parameters were determined: maximum growth rate (µm) = 0.436 h⁻¹, saturation constant (Ks) = 6.19 mg/L, and inhibition constant (Ki) = 54.1 mg/L.
• The obtained kinetic constants are consistent with literature values for phenol-degrading microbial cultures.

Conclusions:

• Pseudomonas putida DSM 548 is an effective agent for phenol biodegradation.
• The Haldane model provides a suitable framework for quantifying phenol biodegradation kinetics.
• The determined kinetic parameters can inform the design and optimization of bioreactors for phenol removal.