Bioremediation potential of a phenol degrading bacterium, Rhodococcus erythropolis SKO-1

Biodegradation of phenol is a major focus of toxic organic compound degradation by microorganisms isolated from polluted areas. An increasing number of bacteria and fungi possessing unique biodegradation capabilities have been isolated in recent years. In this study a new isolate, Rhodococcus erythropolis SKO-1, from polluted soils in the Tehran oil refinery region, is reported. Identification was performed by sequencing of 16S rDNA and confirmed by morphological and biochemical characterization. Phenol was consumed as the sole carbon source, and the ortho pathway was confirmed as the metabolic route of phenol biodegradation by the isolate. After adaptation, phenol degradation was approximately 99.64% of an initial concentration of 1000 mg phenol l-1 in 56 h. Enrichment of minimal salt medium by addition of yeast extract resulted in further phenol tolerance and increased phenol degradation capacity up to 1200 mg phenol l-1.