[Oxidation of phenol by Bacillus stearothermophilus strains]

The assimilation of phenol as a sole source of carbon and energy was studied with the thermophilic bacillus isolated from the geothermal zones in the South Ural. This ability was displayed by 11 strains of Bacillus stearothermophilus among 26 studied strains. The most active strains oxidized all phenol, when its content in the medium was 0.1--0.2%, during two days, at 56--58 degrees C, with aeration; a considerable amount of biomass was accumulated and the medium was acidified. The maximum concentration of phenol, which did not suppress the bacterial growth, was 0.3%. The majority of the strains of Bac. stearothermophilus capable of phenol oxidation were isolated from the regions heated with parothermal gases which contained phenols.