Biodegradation of anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate by Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 10311

The anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), the core components of detergent and cosmetic product formulations, contributes significantly to the pollution profile of sewage and wastewater of all kinds. In this study, 44 SDS degrading strains were isolated by soil enrichment methods and the utilization efficiency was assessed by methylene blue active substances (MBAS) assay and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Isolate S2 which showed maximum degradation was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 10311 based on phenotypic features and 16 S rDNA typing. The isolate was found to harbor plasmid within the size range of 9-10 kb. The cured derivative of SDS degrading Pseudomonas aeruginosa was obtained at a frequency of 10.7% by incubation with ethidium bromide (500 mg ml(-1) at 40 degrees C. 96% of SDS degradation occurred at 1500 ppm level within 48 hr of incubation, whereas higher concentration of SDS (10000 ppm) showed only 20% degradation. The optimum temperature and pH was 30 degrees C and 7.5, respectively. The additional supplementation of carbon and nitrogen source increased the degradation capacity from 93 to 95% and 90 to 96% respectively within 36 hrs of incubation.