Application of Different Processes for the Biodegradation of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol by the Bacterium Pseudomonas putida DSM 437

1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP), is a highly toxic compound used in many industrial processes. Biodegradation of 1,3-DCP, by the bacterial strain Pseudomonas putida DSM 347, was studied applying three different processes. A number of combinations, with respect to glucose and 1,3-DCP concentration were examined during batch process. When the initial concentration of 1,3-DCP was 600 mg L-1 in the presence of 400 mg L-1 glucose, the biodegradation degree and rate were 10.8 % and 0.68 mg L-1 h(-1) respectively. 1,3-DCP biodegradation by the resting cells of R putida DSM 347 was tested at mass concentrations from gamma = 200 to 1 000 mg L-1 using biomass concentration of 5 g dry cell mass L-1. Biodegradation of 1,3-DCP ranged from 84 to 90 %, initial biodegradation rates ranged from r = 2.36 to 10.55 mg L-1 h(-1), while dependence of both parameters from the initial concentration of halohydrin was observed. A system of two Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors (CSTRs) in series was developed for the biodegradation of a highly toxic stream of 1,3-DCP (2000 mg L-1). The overall biodegradation degree of the system was 68 %, while biodegradation rates of the first and second bioreactor were r = 2.88 and 5.21 mg L-1 h(-1) respectively.