Comparative study on biodegradation of lipid-rich wastewater using lipase producing bacterial species

Abstract

Studies on bioremediation of high fat and oil wastewater by selected lipase producing bacteria like Bacillus subtilis, B licheniformis, B amyloliquefaciens, Serratia marsescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were carried out in wastewaters emanating from palm oil mill, dairy, slaughter house, soap industry and domestic wastewater with both individual and mixed culture (consortia). BOD and lipase degradation was analyzed for 12 d. After 12 d of bioremediation, least BOD and lipid content was observed in consortia. Among the six isolates, P. aeruginosa showed least BOD (112 mg/L) in palm oil effluent, (82 mg/L) dairy effluent, (145 mg/L) soap and (9 mg/L) domestic water effluent, whereas S. aureus showed least BOD (11 mg/L) in slaughter house wastewater. Lipid content was also reduced most by consortia after 12 d of bioremediation. P. aeruginosa resulted in very good lipid degradation in palm oil effluent (325 mg/L), soap effluent (300 mg/L) and domestic wastewater (17 mg/L), whereas S. marsescens showed good lipid degradation in dairy effluents (280 mg/L) and S. aureus in slaughter house wastewater (320 mg/L).