Conversion of sodium cyanide to carbon dioxide and ammonia by immobilized cells ofPseudomonas putida

Summary Pseudomonas putida, isolated from contaminated industrial wastewaters and soil sites, was found to utilize sodium cyanide (NaCN) as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Cells, immobilized in calcium alginate beads (1–2 mm diameter) were aerated in air-uplift-type fluidized batch bioreactor containing 100–400 ppm of NaCN. Degradation of NaCN was monitored for 168 h by analyzing gaseous and dissolved ammonia (NH₃), CO₂, pH and optical density. The results indicated that the alginate-immobilized cells ofP. putida were able to degrade NaCN into NH₃ and CO₂ in a time-dependent manner.