Phenol Biodegradation in Olive Oil Mill Wastewater by Chitosan- Immobilized Pseudomonas Putida

The present study deals with biodegradation of phenol in olive oil mill wastewater by Pseudomonas putida immobilized on chitosan. Effects of initial phenol concentration, temperature and pH values were investigated on phenol removal efficiency. The obtained results revealed that removalefficiency reached to its maximum amount with an increase in initial phenol concentration from 50 to 150 mg/l and then decrease with an increase from 150 to 200 mg/l. Increasing temperature from 25 to 30 C has significant influence on phenol biodegradation. Removal efficiency decreases with anincrease in pH value. Experimental results depicted that maximum phenol removal efficiency was 87% which was achieved on initial phenol concentration, temperature and pH of 150 mg/l, 30 C and 7, respectively. It was represented that microorganism was able to consume phenol as a substrate. It is also concluded that biological treatment can be a remarkable alternative instead of conventional processes such as chemical and physical treatments.