Assessment of the metabolic capacity and adaptability of aromatic hydrocarbon degrading strain Pseudomonas putida CSV86 in aerobic chemostat culture

►Pseudomonas putida CSV86 tolerates higher concentration of benzyl alcohol in chemostat than in batch. ► Maximum rate of benzyl alcohol utilization in chemostat is six fold higher than that in batch. ► The strain adapts in a minute on increasing carbon load due to high metabolic elasticity. ► Benzyl alcohol degradation rate remains unaffected in the presence of other carbon substrates. ► The strain CSV86 has potential applications in wastewater treatment of aromatic compounds.