Researchers from Perm National Research Polytechnic University have unveiled a fresh approach to biologically purify wastewater contaminated with phenol. This breakthrough was communicated to socialbites.ca through the institution’s press service, signaling a promising development in industrial wastewater treatment.
Phenol holds a central role in manufacturing polymers, refining oil, and producing medicines. Alongside its usefulness, phenol and its derivatives are highly toxic. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious nervous system disturbances, breathing difficulties, and potential cardiovascular issues, making safe disposal a critical concern for many industries in North America and beyond.
Aware that certain microbes can metabolize phenol, PNIPU researchers isolated a suitable microbial culture and mapped how the chemical influences their growth and vital processes. The work aimed to harness these organisms for cleaning phenol from wastewater in a controlled, sustainable way.
In the study, scientists identified the phenol concentration that supports robust bacterial growth. They tested environments with phenol levels ranging from 0 to 100 mg per liter, discovering that 50 mg/L yielded optimal microbial vigor. At 100 mg/L, growth slowed, while lower concentrations failed to supply enough nutrients for sustained activity.
As part of the evaluation, the team compared the performance of bacteria in their natural state versus when they were attached to a solid carrier, specifically sawdust. The experiments showed that immobilizing bacteria on a carrier helped preserve their biochemical activity in the presence of phenol, and that adhesion to sawdust enhanced phenol utilization compared with free-living cells, according to Anastasia Korzukhina, a chemistry and biotechnology graduate student at PNIPU.
Earlier initiatives in Japan have explored facets of recycling related to electronic waste, underscoring a global interest in improving waste management through microbial and chemical processes.