(330c) Biodegradation of Phenol by Isolated Bacillus Cereus Immobilized in Alginate

Phenol degradation by Bacillus cereus AKG1 MTCC9817 and AKG2 MTCC 9818 and degradation kinetics were compared between the free and Ca-alginate gel-immobilized systems. Trends of the effects of pH and alginate concentration on phenol degradation were studied for both free and immobilized cells. Due to the substrate inhibition effect, free cells could degrade phenol only up to about 1500 mg/L. While immobilized cells could tolerate a higher level up to 2000 mg/L, although the degradation rate was slower. Immobilized strain AKG1 MTCC9817 is able to degrade maximum 99.6% of phenol within 26 days time when initial concentration is 500 mg/L, whereas, immobilized AKG2 MTCC9818 is able to degrade maximum 99.99% phenol within 36 days time when initial concentrations of phenol is 1000 mg/L. Degradation kinetics of free cells for degradation of phenol in the concentration range 100 - 2000 mg/L have been described by various models. Haldane model fits well with coefficient of determination, R2 immo AKG1 =0.9504 and R2 immo AKG2 =0.9625.