Biodegradation of Phenol by <i>Rhodococcus</i> sp. Strain SKC: Characterization and Kinetics Study

• Main Authors: Yujuan Wen, Chaofan Li, Xiaoming Song, Yuesuo Yang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: phenol; <i>Rhodococcus</i> sp.; kinetic model; biokinetic constants
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/16/3665

This study focuses on the kinetics of a pure strain of bacterium <i>Rhodococcus</i> sp. SKC, isolated from phenol-contaminated soil, for the biodegradation of phenol as its sole carbon and energy source in aqueous medium. The kinetics of phenol biodegradation including the lag phase, the maximum phenol degradation rate, maximum growth rate (<i>R_m</i>) and maximum yield coefficient (Y) for each <i>S</i>_i (initial phenol concentration, mg/L) were fitted using the Gompertz and Haldane models of substrate inhibition (R² > 0.9904, RMSE < 0.00925). The values of these parameters at optimum conditions were <i>μ</i>_max = 0.30 h⁻¹, <i>K_s</i> = 36.40 mg/L, and <i>K</i>_i = 418.79 mg/L, and that means the inhibition concentration of phenol was 418.79 mg/L. By comparing with other strains of bacteria, <i>Rhodococcus</i> sp. SKC exhibited a high yield factor and tolerance towards phenol. This study demonstrates the potential application of <i>Rhodococcus</i> sp. SKC for the bioremediation of phenol contaminate.