Several strains from tributyl phosphate (TBP)-polluted soils were isolated and screened for their ability to degraded this widely used organophosphorus compound. The most active strain, identified as
Serratia odorifera, degrades up to 600
m TBP (initially present in the medium at 2 mm) during its growth phase, within 8 h from inoculation. However, this bacterium could not utilize TBP as the sole carbon and/or phosphorus source but nevertheless is a good candidate for bioremediation of TBP-polluted industrial sites.
degradation -
Serratia odorifera
- soil bacteria - tributyl phosphate - xenobiotic