Treatment of phenol-contaminated soil by Corynebacterium glutamicum and toxicity removal evaluation

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.06.092

Journal of Hazardous Materials

Volume 182, Issues 1–3, 15 October 2010, Pages 937-940

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.06.092 Get rights and content

Abstract

Biodegradation of phenol-contaminated soils using Corynebacterium glutamicum, was optimized in this study. Phenol degradation by C. glutamicum was observed in soil supplemented with 1% yeast extract as a substrate. We determined the optimal inoculation size of C. glutamicum (7.4 log₁₀ CFU mL⁻¹) for the degradation of phenol-contaminated soil. Under optimal conditions (1% yeast extract and 7.4 log₁₀ CFU mL⁻¹ of C. glutamicum), the efficiency of phenol degradation in soil was greater than 94% at three days after treatment. The degradation of phenol-contaminated soil by C. glutamicum was evaluated using acute toxicity assays with Daphnia magna. Based on the acute toxicity assays, we found that the residual toxicity of contaminated soil was removed completely after three days of C. glutamicum treatment.

Introduction

Phenols and related compounds, which are high on the list of priority contaminants [1], may interfere with the ecosystem equilibrium and, consequently, may affect biogeochemical pathways of organic matter and nutrient recycling [2]. When phenol, a hydrophobic compound, is released into soil, its mobility becomes more restricted than in an aqueous environment due to its adsorption onto solid surfaces [2], [3]. Currently the primary method for its removal is the use of various biological approaches, so-called bioremediation technologies [4], [5], [6]. Of the techniques available for the removal of phenols from soil, biodegradation by soil bacteria is environmentally friendly and cost-effective [7], [8]. Recently Corynebacterium glutamicum, an industrial soil microorganism important for amino acid production, was reported to assimilate various aromatic compounds [9], [10]. In particular, phenol catabolism by C. glutamicum occurs through the catechol branch of the β-ketoadipate pathway [9], [11]. A previous study using a batch culture system showed C. glutamicum biodegrades phenol and uses it as a carbon source [12].

The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal biodegrading conditions of phenol-contaminated soil in the presence of C. glutamicum. Using Daphnia magna, we performed acute toxicity assays to measure the efficiency of toxicity removal based on the degradation of phenol by C. glutamicum. Degradation was evaluated by measuring the overall toxicity of the degradation byproducts.

Section snippets

Microorganism and culture conditions

C. glutamicum ATCC 13032 (America Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA) was used for phenol degradation in soil. The inocula were cultured at 30 °C and 150 rpm in Luria-Bertani medium [13].

Biodegradation of phenol in soil

The ability of C. glutamicum to remediate the phenol-contaminated soil sample was investigated by carrying out the biodegradation experiment in soil for three days under indoor laboratory conditions. A bulk soil sample (10 g) was completely sterilized in an autoclave at 121 °C and 15 lb/in.² for 30 min. Samples (10

Optimal experimental conditions for biodegradation of phenol-contaminated soil

To investigate the culture conditions under which the biodegradative ability of C. glutamicum is optimized, soil spiked at a low phenol concentration (2.12 mM) was measured before and after treatment with C. glutamicum and 1% glucose or 1% yeast extract. Fig. 1 shows the effects of C. glutamicum on phenol degradation in soil samples under several culture conditions. In the control sample (i.e., no bacteria), no phenol degradation was observed after three days. Although C. glutamicum was

Conclusions

We investigated and demonstrated the ability of C. glutamicum to degrade phenol in contaminated soil, which is a serious environmental concern. The results showed that phenol degradation in soil was highly effective under optimized conditions, and that the toxicity of the soil was remarkably removed by treatment with C. glutamicum. Based on the results, we emphasize that our approach may facilitate the environmentally friendly soil remediation of high concentrations of phenol over a short time

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the Korea Research Foundation Grant funded by the Korean Government (MOEHRD, Basic Research Promotion Fund) (KRF-2008- D00175-I00154). The authors are grateful for their support.

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Citation Excerpt :
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Journal of Hazardous Materials

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Microorganism and culture conditions

Biodegradation of phenol in soil

Optimal experimental conditions for biodegradation of phenol-contaminated soil

Conclusions

Acknowledgement

References (19)

Remediation of phenol-contaminated soil by a bacterial consortium and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus isolated from an industrial wastewater

J. Hazard. Mater.

In situ bioelectrokinetic remediation of phenol-contaminated soil by use of an electrode matrix and arotational operation mode

Chemosphere

Adaptive responses and cellular behaviour of biphenyl-degrading bacteria toward polychlorinated biphenyls

Biotechnol. Adv.

Optimal exponential feeding strategy for dual-substrate biostimulation of phenol degradation using Cupriavidus taiwanensis

J. Hazard. Mater.

Bioenergetic strategy of microalgae for the biodegradation of phenolic compounds—exogenously supplied energy and carbon sources adjust the level of biodegradation

J. Biotechnol.

Solid-phase extraction and capillary electrophoresis determination of phenols from soil after alkaline CuO oxidation

Chemosphere

Sorption of polar and nonpolar aromatic compounds to four surface soils of esatern China

Environ. Pollut.

Phenol degradation by immobilized cells of Arthrobacter citreus

Biodegradation

Understanding molecular mechanisms for improving phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils

Crit. Rev. Biotechnol.

Cited by (28)

Degradation mechanisms of 2-chlorophenol by Acinetobacter sp.: Exploring cellular membrane structure, intra- and extracellular components, and transcriptomic analysis

A plasmonic Z-scheme Ag@AgCl/PDI photocatalyst for the efficient elimination of organic pollutants, antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes

Microbial degradation of phenolic compounds

Eu<sup>3+</sup> doped Bi<inf>2</inf>MoO<inf>6</inf> nanosheets fabricated via hydrothermal-calcination route and their superior performance for aqueous volatile phenols removal

Biodegradation of phenol by a halotolerant versatile yeast Candida tropicalis SDP-1 in wastewater and soil under high salinity conditions

Removal of chlorophenols from aqueous media with hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents: Experimental study and COSMO RS evaluation

Short communicationTreatment of phenol-contaminated soil by Corynebacterium glutamicum and toxicity removal evaluation

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Microorganism and culture conditions

Biodegradation of phenol in soil

Optimal experimental conditions for biodegradation of phenol-contaminated soil

Conclusions

Acknowledgement

J. Hazard. Mater.

Chemosphere

Biotechnol. Adv.

J. Hazard. Mater.

J. Biotechnol.

Chemosphere

Environ. Pollut.

Phenol degradation by immobilized cells of Arthrobacter citreus

Biodegradation

Understanding molecular mechanisms for improving phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils

Crit. Rev. Biotechnol.

Short communication
Treatment of phenol-contaminated soil by Corynebacterium glutamicum and toxicity removal evaluation