A newly isolated strain capable of effectively degrading tetrahydrofuran and its performance in a continuous flow system

A Gram-negative strain DT4, capable of growing aerobically on tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the sole carbon and energy source was isolated from a pharmaceutical wastewater treatment plant. It was identified as Pseudomonas oleovorans by morphological and physiological characteristics as well as Biolog profiling and 16S rDNA sequence. Cells of P. oleovorans DT4 pre-cultured in THF could degrade 5 mM THF completely without lag phase. The generation time of 2.7 h and the maximum degradation rate of 203.9 mg THF/(h g dry weight) were observed, demonstrating that DT4 bears the highest THF-degrading activity in ever described strains. Furthermore, THF concentration as high as 100 mM was tolerated by the culture. Several important compounds including γ-butyrrolactone and benzene could be directly metabolized, whereas other pollutants (e.g., tetrahydropyrane) could be cometabolized by DT4. THF removal was achieved in a continuous flow system with the maximum specific growth rate 0.113 h−1 and half-saturation constant 1.224 mg/L, indicating the great potential of THF bioremediation in future full-scale application.