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Phenol degradation by microorganisms adsorbed on activated carbon

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Summary

The phenol degradation by Candida sp. and Pseudomonas sp. immobilized on activated carbon was investigated. Thanks to its great adsorptive surface, activated carbon is suited as supporting material for microorganisms and also provides a high adsorption capacity for phenol.

The immobilization by adsorption avoids any unphysiological treatment of the microorganisms. One gram activated carbon adsorbed in 10 h about 4×109 Pseudomonas cells and 3×108 Candida cells. While the free cells did not tolerate more than 1.5 g/l phenol, the adsorbed microorganisms survived at temporary high phenol concentrations up to 15 g/l, and they degraded about 90% of the adsorbed phenol.

The activated carbon operated like a “depot”: the adsorbed phenol diffused out of the carbon and could be metabolized by the microorganisms. The results give an explanation of the stimulating effect of activated carbon in the treatment of waste waters observed until now.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Mikrobiologie, Universität Münster, D-4400, Münster, Federal Republic of Germany

    H. M. Ehrhardt & H. J. Rehm

Authors
  1. H. M. Ehrhardt
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  2. H. J. Rehm
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Ehrhardt, H.M., Rehm, H.J. Phenol degradation by microorganisms adsorbed on activated carbon. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 21, 32–36 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00252358

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00252358

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