Effect of additional carbon source on biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate by las-utilizing bacteria

Aerobic biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) by LAS-utilizing bacteria (LUB) in the presence of other sources of carbon (glucose and soluble starch) was examined. Biodegradation of LAS was monitored as primary degradation in terms of half-life (t½) of the surfactant. Biodegradation of LAS by the individual LUB was slower in the presence of Glucose. Biodegradation of the surfactant by the various consortia of LUB was slower in the presence of the carbon sources: t½ increased to 3 days. The rates of biodegradation by the consortia can be ranked as: four-membered (t½=9 days) > three-membered (t½=9 to 13 days) > two-membered consortia (t½=10 to 15 days). Generally, degradation in the presence of the carbon sources was faster with the consortia than the individual species. Degradation of the surfactant by the LUB was generally fastest in the absence of additional carbon sources. The possible role of additional carbon sources in persistence of surfactant in water bodies and the application of the observation in management of LAS-containing-effluent is suggested.