Phenol and Naphthalene Degradation by Mixed Culture of Microorganisms

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the phenol and naphthalene degradation by mixed culture of microorganisms. Wastewater contains a mixture of organic substances; its biodegradation is realized by microbial communities. The composition of the communities is established spontaneously under non-sterile conditions of no external control impact. This communication dwells upon the problem of the purposeful formation of the microorganism community that is capable to purify water more efficiently. Both biochemistry and genetics of the microbial oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons are rather well studied. Nevertheless, it is strange, that the evidence on the catabolism multiroutiness is not included into wastewater treatment, when considered at the population and community levels. This evidence makes one discuss the problem of a multiroutiness. The delay of transition from meta-cleavage into the orthocleavage pathway is evidence of the interaction between the cells microbial population and substrate biodegradation plasmids, rather than the enzyme activities turn out.