[Isolation of a bacterial strain capable of nitrobenzene-degradation at low temperature and the biodegradation characteristics].

Seven bacterial strains that can degrade nitrobenzene at low temperature were isolated from the sediments of a nitrobenzene polluted river. One of the strains, NB1, can mineralize 20 mg/L nitrobenzene completely under the temperature range from 2.5 degrees C to 35 degrees C with an optimum temperature of 25 degrees C. At 5 degrees C, the strain can grow and degrade 20 mg/L nitrobenzene under pH 6 - 9. As long as the concentration of nitrobenzene was not higher than 100 mg/L, it can be degraded by the strain successfully. The strain was identified as Pseudomonas putida according to its morphology, biochemical properties and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The growth and nitrobenzene degradation character of the strain at different temperature, especially at low temperature, showsthe potential for the bioremediation of nitrobenzene contaminated environment.