Evaluation ofo-cresol degradation potential by a strain ofPseudomonas aeruginosaS8
AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of a selected Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain (strain S8) isolated from an Algerian soil to degrade o-cresol in water. This strain was used to study the biodegradation of o-cresol in batch aerobic experiments under variable pH values, heavy metals ions (Zn2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+) and NaCl concentrations. The results showed that P. aeruginosa S8 strain has a high o-cresol biodegradation potential; it could degrade completely 1250 mg L−1 o-cresol within 85 h. Furthermore, o-cresol biodegradation potential of the strain was slightly affected by alkalinity (pH 9), presence of heavy metals and salinity (NaCl). Growth kinetics and degradation activity data obtained for the concentrations ranging between 250–1250 mg L−1 fitted well to Andrews growth kinetic model with a coefficient of determination (R2) higher than 0.99. Due to its high o-cresol biodegradation potential and its relative tolerance to alkalinity, salinity and heavy metals, the strain S8 seems to ...