Extraction of lipase and protease and characterization of activated sludge from pulp and paper industry.

Hydrolytic enzymes released by the microorganisms in activated sludge are responsible for the organic matter degradation there; however, the optimal extraction procedure of this valuable resource has not been well established until now. In this study protease and lipase were extracted from activated sludge using ultrasound disintegration combined with a nonionic detergent (Triton X-100) and cation-exchange resin (CER) in combination for the extraction of protease and lipase. It was observed that the concentration of 0.1% and 1% Triton X-100 has a strong influence for the extraction of lipase and protease respectively. Closer study of the enzyme extraction process is essential for different enzymes from activated sludge process.

Removal of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol by bacterial isolates from the secondary sludge of pulp and paper mill.

2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) mineralizing bacteria were isolated from the secondary sludge of pulp and paper industry. These isolates used 2,4,5-TCP as a source of carbon and energy and were capable of degrading this compound, as indicated by stoichimetric release of chloride and biomass formation. Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, these bacteria were identified as Kocuria sp. (CL2), Bacillus pumillus (CL5), Pseudomonas stutzeri (CL7). HPLC analysis revealed that these isolates were able to degrade 2,4,5-TCP at higher concentrations (600 mg/l or 3.0 mM). A consortia of these isolates completely removed 2,4,5-TCP from the sludge obtained from pulp and paper mill within 2 weeks when supplemented at a rate of 100 mg l(-1) . Bacterial consortium also significantly reduced absorbable organic halogen (AOX) and extractable organic halogen (EOX) by 61% and 63%, respectively from the sludge. These isolates have high potential to remove 2,4,5-TCP and may be used for remediation of pulp paper mill waste containing 2,4,5-TCP.

Degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by bacteria isolated from secondary sludge of a pulp and paper mill.

Bacterial strains capable of degrading trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) were isolated from the secondary sludge of a pulp and paper mill and were characterized. These isolates were identified as Planococcus rifietoensis (CL4) and Bacillus pumilus (CL5), based on their 16S rRNA sequence analysis. These isolates were able to grow and utilize 2,4,6-TCP as their source of carbon as well as energy. HPLC analysis and stoichometric release of chloride in the medium confirmed the degradation ability of these isolates. Removal efficiency of 2,4,6-TCP by these isolates was discovered to be high. They were able to remove 90% of 2,4,6-TCP when grown at a concentration of 600 mg L(-1). Inoculation of these bacteria completely removed 2,4,6-TCP within 2 weeks from the sludge of the pulp and paper mill when supplemented at the rate of 100 mg L(-1). Absorbable Organic Halogen (AOX) and Extractable Organic Halogen (EOX) were significantly reduced by 63% and 70% respectively from the sludge due to inoculation of these bacteria. These isolates have high potential to remove 2,4,6-TCP and may be used for removal of 2,4,6-TCP from pulp paper mill waste.

Degradation of pentachlorophenol by Kocuria sp. CL2 isolated from secondary sludge of pulp and paper mill.

A pentachlorophenol (PCP) degrading bacterium was isolated and characterized from sludge of pulp and paper mill. This isolate used PCP as its sole source of carbon and energy and was capable of degrading this compound, as indicated by stoichiometric release of chloride and biomass formation. Based on morphology, biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis this strain was identified as Kocuria sp. CL2. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that this strain was able to degrade PCP up to a concentration of 600 mg/l. This is first time we are reporting the degradation of PCP by the Kocuria species. This isolate was also able to remove 58.64% of PCP from the sludge within two weeks. This study showed that the removal efficiency of PCP by CL2 was found to be very effective and can be used in degradation of PCP containing pulp paper mill waste in the environment.

Pentachlorophenol degradation by Pseudomonas stutzeri CL7 in the secondary sludge of pulp and paper mill.

A pentachlorophenol (PCP) mineralizing bacterium was isolated from the secondary sludge of pulp and paper mill and identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri strain CL7. This isolate used PCP as its sole source of carbon and energy and was capable of degrading this compound as indicated by stoichiometric release of chloride and biomass formation. P. stutzeri (CL7) was able to mineralize a high concentration of PCP (600 mg/L) than any previously reported Pseudomonad with PCP as sole carbon source. As the concentration of PCP increased from 50 to 600 mg/L, the reduction in the cell growth was observed and the PCP degradation was more than 90% in all studied concentrations. This isolate was able to remove 66.8% of PCP from the secondary sludge of pulp and paper mill when supplemented with 100 mg/L of PCP and grown for two weeks. This study showed that the removal efficiency of PCP by CL7 was found to be very effective and can be used in PCP remediation of pulp paper mill waste in the environment.