Isolation and characterization of phenol degrading bacteria immobilized onto cyclodextrin-hydrogel particles within a draft tube spouted bed bioreactor

A draft-tube spouted bed bioreactor was developed to investigate the microbial degradation of aqueous phenol using a cyclodextrin-based support material. Bacteria from activated sludge were acclimated to phenol in a continuous stirred tank bioreactor, and then immobilized onto the hydrogel particles within the spouted bed bioreactor. Microorganisms obtained under different operating conditions in both bioreactors were isolated and characterized. Batch phenol degradation assays performed on isolated dominant strains showed that Acinetobacter baumannii was the most resistant to phenol. Microbial population distribution in bioreactors was not only affected by phenol concentration, but also by oxygen availability, the system configuration and the presence of intermediates formed during phenol metabolization. A maximum elimination capacity of 2.79 kg-phenol/m3 d was achieved in the spouted bed bioreactor, with Comamonas acidovorans being the dominant strain during high degradation periods.

► A draft tube spouted bed bioreactor with an hydrogel support for phenol removal.
► Comamonas acidovorans was dominant during high performance of spouted bed reactor.
► Maximum elimination capacity of 2.79 kg-phenol/m3 d in the spouted bed reactor.
► Phenol, system design, oxygen and intermediates as bacterial selection factors.