Biodegradation of TBP in a packed bed reactor using pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes

Tributyl phosphate (TBP), is an organophosphorus compound widely used as a solvent for the extraction of uranium and plutonium, from other radionuclides, in nuclear fuel processing. Several strains from contaminated sites were isolated and screened for their ability to degrade this organophosphorus compound. The most active strain identified as Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes could degrade 290μM of TBP and utilized it as a sole source of carbon and energy. Agarose immobilized cell systems were developed for the biodegradation of TBP. A packed bed reactor was constructed and operated for biological TBP removal. Degradation rates for repeated operations increased for successive batches indicating that cells grow better and get adapted to the reaction conditions over time. (author)