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Isolation of novel benzo[a]anthracene-degrading microorganisms and continuous bioremediation in an expanded-bed bioreactor

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Abstract

In the present work, several samples from lab waste containers polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals were investigated as potential sources of PAH-degrading microorganisms. After isolating, two fungal strains were selected as the best degrading microorganisms. Genetic identification by sequencing was carried out and they were identified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Byssochlamys spectabilis. Their degradation ability was determined in liquid cultures with 100 μM of benzo[a]anthracene. T. longibrachiatum cultures showed highest degradation values (around 97%) after 9 days, furthermore in a second batch the time was reduced to 6 days. To analyse the viability of industrial application, a continuous treatment in an expanded-bed bioreactor was developed operating at different residence times with T. longibrachiatum immobilised on cubes of nylon sponge. It is noticeable that the bioreactor working in continuous mode was able to operate without operational problems and attaining high degradation levels depending on the residence time.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Xunta de Galicia (Project 08MDS034314PR). The authors are grateful to Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for financial support of Marta Pazos under the Ramón y Cajal programme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Vigo, Isaac Newton Building, Campus As Lagoas, Marcosende, Vigo, 36310, Spain

    E. Rosales, A. Pérez-Paz, X. Vázquez, M. Pazos & M. A. Sanromán

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  1. E. Rosales
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  2. A. Pérez-Paz
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  3. X. Vázquez
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  4. M. Pazos
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  5. M. A. Sanromán
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Correspondence to M. A. Sanromán.

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Rosales, E., Pérez-Paz, A., Vázquez, X. et al. Isolation of novel benzo[a]anthracene-degrading microorganisms and continuous bioremediation in an expanded-bed bioreactor. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 35, 851–855 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-011-0669-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-011-0669-x

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