Ys. Oh et al., INTERACTIONS BETWEEN BENZENE, TOLUENE AND P-XYLENE (BTX) DURING THEIRBIODEGRADATION, Biotechnology and bioengineering, 44(4), 1994, pp. 533-538
A microbial consortium and Pseudomonas strain (PPO1) were used in stud
ying biodegradation of benzene, toluene, and p-xylene under aerobic co
nditions. Studies involved removal of each compound individually as we
ll as in mixture with the others. Both cultures exhibited a qualitativ
ely similar behavior toward each compound. Both the pure culture and t
he consortium grew on benzene following Monod kinetics, on toluene fol
lowing inhibitory (Andrews) kinetics, whereas neither could grow on p-
xylene. Benzene and toluene mixtures were removed under cross-inhibito
ry (competitive inhibition) kinetics. In the presence of benzene and/o
r toluene, p-xylene was cometabolically utilized by both cultures, but
was not completely mineralized. Metabolic intermediates of p-xylene a
ccumulated in the medium and were identified. Benzene and toluene were
completely mineralized. Cometabolic removal of p-xylene reduced the y
ields on both benzene and toluene. Except for cometabolism, kinetic co
nstants were determined from data analysis and are compared with value
s published recently by other researchers. (C) 1994 John Wiley and Son
s, Inc.