Klebsiella sp. FIRD 2, a TBT-resistant bacterium isolated from contaminated surface sediment along Strait of Johor Malaysia

• TBT-resistant bacteria were successfully isolated from contaminated surface sediment.
• The best isolate resisted TBT concentrations up to1500µg L-1 without addition of carbon source in Minimal Salt Broth (MSB).
• This work is anticipated to make a significant contribution to studies of TBT remediation in tropical environments.
• It is expected that additional work could be conducted to check the degradation activity of this new isolate.

A possible tributyltin (TBT)-degrading bacterium isolated from contaminated surface sediment was successfully identified as Klebsiella sp. FIRD 2. It was found to be the best isolate capable of resisting TBT at a concentration of 1000 μg L− 1. This was a concentration above the reported contaminated level at the sampling station, 790 μg L− 1. Further studies revealed that the isolate was Gram negative and resisted TBT concentrations of up to 1500 μg L− 1 in a Minimal Salt Broth without the addition of any carbon source within the first 48 h of incubation. It is expected that additional work could be conducted to check the degradation activity of this new isolate and possibly improve the degradation capacity in order to contribute to finding a safe and sustainable remediation solution of TBT contamination.