Biosorption and biodegradation of BDE-47 by Pseudomonas stutzier

•Relationship between biosorption and biodegradation of BDE-47 by Ps was evaluated.•Biodegradation of BDE-47 under the influences of glucose and rhamnolipids were studied.•Based on a comparison of Kp values, the removal process of BDE-47 was discussed.•The influence of rhamnolipids were analyzed through the bio-removal of BDE-47 and the cell surface hydrophobicity of Ps.

The biosorption and biodegradation in the removal process of 2, 2, 4, 4-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) by Pseudomonas stutzier KS0013 (Ps) were investigated to elucidate the bio-dissipation mechanism with the influences of glucose and rhamnolipids. The sorption capacity of live Ps (1.163 mg g−1) was significantly larger than that of heat-killed Ps (0.845 mg g−1), indicating biosorption of BDE-47 was metabolically mediated. The BDE-47 was rapidly adsorbed by Ps at the initial stage, and degradation was observed only after 4 h. Based on the Kp values, the BDE-47 was more likely to dissolve in water rather than adsorb on the Ps. Furthermore, cell surface hydrophobicity of Ps was significantly enhanced with additional rhamnolipids. Meanwhile, rhamnolipids was adsorbed on BDE-47 binding sites and subsequently blocked BDE-47 biosorption, therefore posed an adverse effect on biodegradation.