A novel application of Paracoccus pantotrophus for the decolorization of melanoidins from distillery effluent under static conditions.

Melanoidin is the hazardous byproduct formed during the production of ethanol in distilleries. In the present study, a highly effective melanoidin decolorizing bacterial isolate, SAG1, was isolated from the effluent enriched soil of a distillery. This strain, identified as Paracoccus pantotrophus, was highly efficient to decolorize melanoidins up to 81.2 ± 2.43% in the presence of glucose and NH4NO3. The effects of autoclaved as well as living cells and inoculums size on decolorization activity were investigated. The results indicated that only living cell showed the decolorization activity i.e. 78.6 ± 2.62%, while, no activity has been observed using autoclaved cells. The inoculums size of 8% v/v, showed maximum activity of 62.9 ± 3.00%. The isolate SAG1 was found to be more efficient in decolorizing the melanoidins from distillery effluent as compared to the reference culture Pseudomonas putida.

Redefining Paracoccus denitrificans and Paracoccus pantotrophus and the case for a reassessment of the strains held by international culture collections.

An outline of the current taxonomic diversity of the genus Paracoccus is presented. A definitive summary is given of the valid type strains of Paracoccus denitrificans and Paracoccus pantotrophus and of culture collection strains that can be assigned to these species. The case is established for a critical reassessment of the P. denitrificans strains held by international culture collections, to ensure that they are assigned to the correct species.