Investigation of Metabolite Productions and Degradation of Hazardous Organic Pollutants by Pseudomonas spp.

Abstract

In this study, 20 strains of Pseudomonas spp. were tested for their secondary metabolite and degradation in some organic pollutants [1% (v/v) benzene, BTX and 2% (v/v) gasoline]. All the strains tested exhibited microbial growth and production of rhamnolipid and pyocyanin in presence of hazardous organic pollutants [1% (v/v) benzene, BTX and 2% (v/v) gasoline] as a sole carbon source but 3 strains (P. aeruginosa B3, P. fluorescens B5 and P. putida B15), are higher than others. When these cultures were grown in medium containing organic pollutants, while rhamnolipid production by these strains ranged from52 mg/L to 2 mg/L, the pyocyanin production was 0.02–1.30 μg/mL. While maximal production for rhamnolipid has been obtained in the stationary growth phase, for pyocyanin has been obtained in the exponential growth phase. The results of the study may have important implications in both the industrial and environmental areas as well as it can be a potent source for degradation of hazardous organic pollutants.