MICROBIAL STUDIES ON ALKYL PHENOL ETHOXYLATE

Abstract

Current research aims to isolate microbial strains capable of biodegrading Nonylphenol Ethylate (NPEOs) from secondary activated sludge. These collected samples are from the secondary active sludge because it consists of the highest microbial load. Samples were collected from Zenin wastewater treatment plant, El-Giza, Egypt. Physical and chemical analysis were performed. Screening of microbial isolates capable of degrading Nonylphenol Ethoxylate was performed on basal salts medium with Nonylphenol Ethoxylate as the only carbon source. Quantification of the residual amount of NPEOs was determined by using a liquid chromatography technique and spectrophotometer technique. Morphological identification of the most promising microbes isolates degrading NPEOs was performed based on current universal keys, bacteria are using microscopically while Penicillium database management system and molecular technique 18S rDNA using ITS1 (forward) and ITS4 (reverse) primers. Cytotoxicity test was performed by using different concentrations of NPEOs. Results revealed that eight most promising microbes isolates capable of degrading NPEOs were obtained , which achieved the highest percentage of biodegradation (70 - 80 %). novel species named Penicillium chrysogenum and Pseudomonas putida were able to biodegrade (NPEOs) (80% degradation). In case of the Aspergillus terreus cytotoxic Under these experimental settings, action against mammalian cells was demonstrated in African green monkey kidney cells. (CC50) was 46.5 ± 4.8 µg/ml and the inhibitory cytotoxic Under these experimental settings, action against normal human lung fibroblast cells was identified. CC50 was 74.1 ± 6.1 µg/ml.