ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PHENOL DEGRADING BACTERIA FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER AND SEWAGE WATER

This study examines the isolation and characterization of phenol-degrading-bacteria, Five isolates named C2, P4, M4, O3, and S3, from the effluent of ceramic factories (C2), petrochemical (P4), the pulp paper mill (M4), crude oil (O3) and sewage water (S3) have been investigated. These isolates were characterized depending on their morphological, and biochemical characteristics, only one isolate was characterized as a Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, nonmotile, and cocci-shaped bacterium might be Micrococcus sp. (M4), two isolates (Pseudomonas sp.: (P4&S3) were recogniced as a Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, motile and short rod-shaped bacterium and two isolates(Bacillus sp.: (C2& O3) were idenihied as a Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, motile and long rod- shape bacterium. The five bacterial isolates were able to utilize phenol as a sole carbon source. These isolates were checked for growth on a minimal salt medium amended with different concentrations of phenol. The five tolerant bacterial isolates were able to grow at the higher concentrations of phenol and they were investigated for their ability to grow and degrade phenol. Among the five higher phenol degrading isolates, two isolates can tolerate up to 1500 ppm .of phenol concentrations, grow and degrade 90% of phenol within 72 hrs. The optimum temperature and pH were 35 0C and 7, respectively. The yeast extract and ammonium chloride is the best nitrogen source for the growth and degradation of phenol, respectively. The isolate P4 was efficient in removing about 90% of the initial 1000 ppm phenol within 48 hrs., and had a tolerance of phenol concentration as high as 1500 ppm. These results indicated that presumptive Pseudomonas spp. possesses a promising potential in treating phenolic wastewater