Evaluation of Heterocyclic Hydrocarbon Degradation by using Immobilized Bacteria

There are some bacteria known to have the ability to break down heterocyclic hydrocarbon compounds. However, they are not efficient enough to degrade these compounds as the bacteria require a long time to grow, fully degrade hydrocarbon compounds, and the environment for growing bacteria is easily contaminated. Thus, in this study, the bacteria were immobilized and grew inside the gellamgum. The bacteria involved are Thalassospira sp. strain MOI and M155 bacteria which have the ability to degrade Biphenyl (BPH) and Dibenzofuran (DBF) respectively. By immobilizing these bacteria, the rate of degradation is proven to be faster than free bacteria and they can be reused. Furthermore, they are safe from any possible contamination. Immobilization also improves the degrading enzyme induction and reusability of bacteria.