Community analysis and metabolic pathway of halophilic bacteria for phenol degradation in saline environment

A moderately halophilic bacterial enrichment was able to degrade 120 mg/L of phenol in the presence of 1–2 M of NaCl within 3 d or 2.5–3 M of NaCl within 6 d. The optimal degradation was achieved at 1.5 M of NaCl and 350 mg/L of phenol. PCR-DGGE profile of the enrichment showed that the Acidobacterium sp. and Chloroflexus sp. dominated the community. The phenol-biodegradation pathways consisted of an initial oxidative attack by phenol hydroxylase, and subsequent ring fission by catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy profiles showed that ectoine and hydroxyectoine were the main compatible solutes to adjust the bacterial osmotic pressure. This study provides further information on the understanding of phenol-degradation over a wide range of salinity and remediation of phenol as a pollutant in the environment.     

Comparative testing and evaluation of hard-surface disinfectants

Summary The activity of eleven disinfectants againstStaphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, andSaccharomyces cerevisiae was determined using a method based on the A.O.A.C. germicidal and detergent sanitizer assay. Based on the activity against the test organisms after 30-and 60-s exposures to each disinfectant, the disinfectant containing chlorine dioxide had the highest biocidal activity in this assay, on a mg/l basis. In addition, a disinfectant containing sodium hypochlorite and a disinfectant containing sodium chlorite performed well, at concentrations below label specifications. The results illustrate the importance of testing disinfectants in the context of their intended use.     

Phenol induced changes in the carbohydrate metabolism of the Indian catfish Heteropneustes fossilis

Synopsis The Indian catfish Heteropneustes fossilis when subjected to a high sublethal concentration of 26 mg 1^–1 phenol (0.8 of the 96-h LC50 value) for 3, 6, 12, 48 and 96 h elicited muscle glycogenolysis at all time intervals and hepatic glycogenolysis at 3, 6 and 12 h. Hyperglycemia was observed at 3, 6 and 12 h post exposure to phenol. Blood pyruvate content was increased markedly at 3 h. Hyperlacticemia occurred at 3, 6 and 12 h, but hypolacticemia resulted at 48 and 96 h. The results are discussed in relation to acute stress syndrome.     

Biodegradation of phenol and chlorophenols with defined mixed culture in shake-flasks and a packed bed reactor

Pseudomonas testosteroni CPW301 degraded phenol and 4-chlorophenol simultaneously, but degradation rates of these compounds were affected by 4-chlorophenol. Phenol increased the cell concentration and therefore the degradation efficiency of 4-chlorophenol was improved. Pseudomonas solanacearum TCP114 could degrade only 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. A defined mixed culture of P. testosteroni CPW301 and P. solanacearum TCP114 could treat phenol, 4-chlorophenol, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol completely and overcome the inhibition of substrates to other microorganisms. The degradation capacity of the packed bed reactor (PBR) was higher than that of the continuous stirred tank reactor, but the PBR was unsuitable for oxygen-sensitive microorganisms.     

Changes in phenol oxidases and superoxide dismutase during fruit-body formation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus </Emphasis>on sawdust culture

 Peroxidase and laccase activities increased rapidly up to the formation of primordia and then declined throughout the entire stage of fruiting. In the case of Pleurotus ostreatus, the level of Mn-dependent peroxidase was very low in primordia and fruiting stages but gradually increased with the growth of the fruit-body, whereas no activity was detected in Pleurotus sajor-caju during all growth stages. Superoxide dismutase activity was observed mainly at the fruiting stages. These results show that changes in concentration of lignin-related enzymes are associated with the fruiting process. Received: December 11, 2000 / Accepted: March 28, 2002