Isolation of a BTEX-degrading bacterium, Janibacter sp. SB2, from a sea-tidal flat and optimization of biodegradation conditions

► A BTEX-degrading bacterium was isolated from a sea-tidal flat and characterized. ► The isolate, strain SB2, has ability to degrade all six BTEX compounds. ► A mathematical model was employed for the optimization of BTEX degradation. ► Optimum of NH4Cl and NaH2PO4 was determined by response surface methodology.