Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants in a mixed culture bioreactor

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the most common and recalcitrant environmental contaminants – known for their potential toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity to humans. Biosurfactant application can enhance the biodegradation of PAHs. The main object of this work was to explore the novelty of biosurfactant produced by the isolated strains of Bacillus sp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa grown exclusively on Beta vulgaris, and the modification of the zeolites nanoparticles by the biosurfactant, for enhanced biodegradation of PAHs in soil. Novel biosurfactant-producing strains were isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated environments, while several agrowaste were screened as primary carbon sources for the expression of biosurfactants, which were quantified using various standardized methods......