Optimization of 2,4 dichlorobiphenyl (PCB Congener) degradation by Pseudomonas spp.

Abstract

Pseudomonas spp consortium(GSa and GSb) was optimised to degrade 2,4 dichlorbiphenyl (2,4 CB) in shaken flask culture. The optimisation parameters such as concentration of the substrates, rotations per minute, effect of substrate, concentration of sodium glutamate, pH, temperature, for degradation of 2,4 dichlorobiphenyl were evaluated. The maximum degradation of 2, 4 CB was observed under optimised conditions such as 35ºC, pH 7, rpm- 130, and the concentration of 2,4 CB was 90 ppm. Supplimentation of 0.2% sodium glutamate and Surfactant Tween 80 resulted in highest amount of 2,4 CB degradation which was measured spectrophotometrically. The amount of chloride release with increase in biomass was estimated byMohr’s argentometric method. Under these optimised conditions the consortium GSa and GSb had the potential to degrade 2, 4 CB, a PCB congener, perhaps a candidate for in-situ bioremediation.