BIODEGRADATION OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS BY USINGHALOTOLERANT MICROBES

Abstract

The present study made an attempt to find out the biodegradation of phenol by using halophilic microbes isolated from coconut retting water. Thirty two morphologically different strains were isolated and 3 identified strains were selected for the phenol degradation. Among them, Pseudomonas putida showed the maximum degradation of phenol up to 2000 mg.l-1 without any supplement. The maximum removal of phenol was observed by the three bacterial species at neutral pH, low glucose level and NaCl concentration.