ENHANCEMENT OF THE GROWTH AND DEGRATION OF PHENOL BY RHODOCOCCUS UKMP-5M USING VARIOUS NUTRIENTS

Biological method for phenol degradation was performed in this study using versatile strain of Rhodococcus UKMP-5M. Experiment was conducted using 250 mL shake flask. The effect of phenol concentration, additional of glucose and the effect of buffer concentration on growth and phenol degradation were investigated. This study also suggested that the strain was able to utilize phenol at concentration up to 900 mg/L, whereby growth is inhibited at lower or high phenol concentration. Additional up to 2 g/L glucose as additional carbon source was enhanced growth and phenol degradation. The concentration of buffer ranged from 50 to 150 mM also help to improve the degradation of phenol. Therefore, Rhodococcus UKMP-5M has potential to be used in phenol containing waste as well as in bioremediation process.