CO-METABOLISM AND MICROBIAL-GROWTH IN THE BIODEGRADATION OF ALKYLBENZENESULPHONATES

Two organisms, CCMI507 and CCMI852, degrading undecylbenzenesulphonate (LAS) by the ortho- and meta-cleavage pathways were studied in cultur es where glucose was used as carbon and energy source. CCMI507 (ortho- pathway) started the degradation of LAS at the beginning of the cultur e development in parallel with glucose utilization. The degradation fo llowed a steady profile of degradation until 77% of LAS was degraded i n the culture containing initially 5 mg l(-1) of the compound and 81% in the cultures containing initially 10 and 20 mg l(-1) of LAS, after 72 h fermentation. The organism CCMI852 (meta-pathway) started degradi ng the compound only after 20 h, when 75% of glucose was spent and wel l within the stationary phase. After 72 h fermentation the level of de gradation by CCMI852 varied from 70% (5 mg l(-1) of LAS) to around 75% (10 and 20 mg l(-1) of LAS).