[Enhancement of biodegradation of 4-chlorophenol during co-metabolic process by immobilized-cells of Pseudomonas putida].

Cometablic biodegradation of phenol and 4-chlorophenol was enhanced by cells immobilized in polysulfone hollow fiber membranes. Polysulfone hollow fiber membranes have three layers in structure. Pseudomonas putida can be immobilized in the fibers and cometabolically degrade 600 mg/L phenol and 120 mg/L 4-chlorophenol (4-cp) within 29 h. With the incorporation of activated carbon, the fibers show higher adsorption capacity and looser structure. 1000 mg/L phenol and 200 mg/L 4-cp were biodegraded within 51 h by cells immobilized in activated carbon integrated hollow fiber membranes, while it took about 88 h without activated carbon. The immobilized cells can be used for at least four times. Immobilized cells were protected by hollow fiber membranes and transformed phenol and 4-cp continuously.