Mesoporous molecular sieve (MCM-41) as support material for microbial cellimmobilization and transformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT): a novel system for whole cell immobilization

The physical immobilization of whole microbial cells of Arthrobacter sp., B acillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus on the mesoporous molecular sieve o f MCM-41 was studied. Cells of Arthrobacter sp. immobilized on the matrix o f MCM-41 could be successfully employed in the treatment of 2,4,6-trinitrot oluene (TNT) and its subsequent transformation to amino products. Some sign ificant advantages observed in this novel method of immobilization were the proliferation of whole cells while on the matrix of MCM-41, increase in to lerance (from 60 to 400 mg l(-1)) to TNT, repeated use of the immobilized c ells for 20-23 cycles and total regeneration of support material. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.