Characterization of phenol degrading bacteria isolated from industrial effluents

In this study,phenol degrading activity by bacterial isolates collected from industrial effluents was investigated. isolates were identified as stenotrophomonas maltophilia and bacillus subtilis by 16s rrna analysis. both isolates showed maximum survival in the presence of phenol up to 300 μg/ml. they were aerobic bacteria that exhibited maximum growth in the presence of phenol at 37°c,ph 7. among intracellular and extracellular enzyme activity,intracellular was found comparatively predominant. the intracellular enzyme activity was observed under wide ranges of ph (5-9),temperature (30°c-90°c) and metal ions (na+,mg2+,mn2+,zn2+ and cu2+). maximum enzyme activity was observed at ph 5 and temperature at 90°c. hplc studies confirmed that both bacterial species possess the efficient ability of phenol degradation. conclusively,above mentioned bacteria can be exploited for the removal of phenol from polluted water or land,which will be cost effective and safe as well. copyright 2016 zoological society of pakistan.