Abstract
A mixed culture aerobically metabolized phenol, cresol isomers (o-,m-,p-), 2-ethylphenol and xylenol isomers (2,5-DMP and 3,4-DMP) as the sole carbon and energy source. This culture had a high tolerance towards phenol with values of maximum degradation rate (V\max) of 47 μM phenol mg−1 protein h−1 and inhibition substrate constant (Ki) of 10 mM. These kinetic parameters were considerably diminished and the toxicity increased with the alkylphenols. For example with 2,5-xylenol, V\max and Ki values of 0.8 μM 2,5-xylenol mg−1 protein h−1 and 1.3 mM, respectively, were obtained. The cresols were 5-fold more toxic than phenol, whereas 2-ethylphenol and 3,4-xylenol were 11-fold more toxic, and 2,5-xylenol was 34-fold more toxic than phenol.
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Acuña-Argüelles, M., Olguin-Lora, P. & Razo-Flores, E. Toxicity and kinetic parameters of the aerobic biodegradation of the phenol and alkylphenols by a mixed culture. Biotechnology Letters 25, 559–564 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022898321664
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022898321664