Cometabolic removal of xylene isomers by Alcaligenes xylosoxidans Y234

Abstract

The characteristics of cometabolic removal of xylenes by Alcaligenes xytosoxidans Y234 were investigated. m-Xylene was found to be degraded while o- and p-xylene were biotransformed into cresols in the presence of benzene or toluene. A lower level of benzene was required than that of toluene to remove the same amount of xylenes, which suggested benzene was a more effective primary substrate than toluene. o-Xylene was found to be the most toxic to Alcaligenes xylosoxidans Y234 followed by p-xylene and m-xylene. Rates of cell decay during cometabolic removal of o-, m-, or p-xylene were decreased by up to 76% when benzene-adapted cells were inoculated. Xylenes were removed efficiently using benZene-adapted cells.