Co-metabolism and microbial growth in the biodegradation of alkylbenzenesulphonates

Two organisms, CCMI507 and CCMI852, degrading undecylbenzenesulphonate (LAS) by the ortho- and meta- cleavage pathways were studied in cultures where glucose was used as carbon and energy source. CCMI507 ( ortho -pathway) started the degradation of LAS at the beginning of the culture development in parallel with glucose utilization. The degradation followed a steady profile of degradation until 77% of LAS was degraded in the culture containing initially 5 mg l⁻¹ of the compound and 81% in the cultures containing initially 10 and 20 mg l⁻¹ of LAS, after 72 h fermentation. The organism CCMI852 ( meta -pathway) started degrading the compound only after 20 h, when 75% of glucose was spent and well within the stationary phase. After 72 h fermentation the level of degradation by CCMI852 varied from 70% (5 mg l⁻¹ of LAS) to around 75% (10 and 20 mg l⁻¹ of LAS).