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Biodegradation of dimethylterephthalate by Comamonas acidovorans D-4
D S Patel1, A J Desai, J D Desai
1Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Science, M. S. University of Baroda, India.
Abstract:
Comamonas acidovorans D-4, capable of utilizing dimethylterephthalate (DMT) as the sole carbon source, was isolated from the activated sludge of petrochemical wastewater treatment plant. Almost complete utilization of as high as 0.5% (w/v) DMT was observed in 72 hr. Growth kinetics followed a parallel relation between the growth, DMT utilization and cell associated esterase activity. A cell free broth of DMT grown cells showed an extracellular esterase activity. During the DMT degradation an extracellular accumulation of terephthalic acid was found. Although, C. acidovorans grew on a number of phthalate esters and phthalic acids as the sole carbon source, growth was significantly high on phthalic acids. The potential of this organism in petrochemical pollution abatement is discussed.
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