Biodegradation of phenol at high concentration by a novel bacterium: Gulosibacter sp. YZ4

Abstract BACKGROUND: A novel bacterial strain, Gulosibacter sp. YZ4, has been isolated from activated sludge. Its application potential for phenol biodegradation has not yet been reported, therefore, in this study, biodegradation tests using strain YZ4 were executed under different conditions. RESULTS: The strain was identified as a new member of the genus Gulosibacter and nominated as Gulosibacter sp. YZ4. Phenol biodegradation tests showed that strain YZ4 could thoroughly biodegrade 1000 mg L−1 phenol across a wide temperature range from 10 to 42 °C and pH range 5 to 11. Degradation of 1000 mg L−1 phenol was not inhibited by the coexistence of p‐cresol or quinoline. During phenol degradation, strain YZ4 excreted both phenol hydroxylase and catechol 1,2‐dioxygenase to efficiently metabolize phenol. At 36 °C, pH 7.5, strain YZ4 could effectively degrade phenol at concentrations as high as 2000 mg L−1 within 76 h. Haldane's model with the parameters obtained from the experiments could successfully describe the behavior of the phenol biodegradation by the strain YZ4. CONCLUSIONS: The strain YZ4 has a high potential for applications in phenol wastewater treatment in view of its adaptability to temperature and pH fluctuations and great tolerance to other coexistent toxics. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry