SCREENING AND DEGRADATION OF PHTHALATE USING ANAEROBIC BACTERIA AND FUNGI ISOLATE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Phthalates is a persistent organic pollutants widely used as plasticizers, pose significant environmental and health risks due to their endocrine-disrupting properties. This research aims to investigate the bioremediation of phthalate from the society using Microorganisms found in the environment. Samples were isolated from Farmland and Land fill .Enumeration , Isolation and identification were investigated using standard techniques .Screening of potential Phthalate degraders were employed using agar supplement medium. Degraded phthalate Wasanalysed using GCMS. Toxicity test was carried out on the degraded effluent using beans seed. A total of 10 microbial isolates (6 anaerobic bacteria and 4 fungi) were obtained, with the bacterial isolate from 16cm depth in farmland, identified as Lactobacillus spp using various biochemical tests, and the fungal isolate FL5 from farmland, identified as Mucor spp., exhibiting superior performance in screening tests. Mucor spp. achieved a 70mm growth diameter, while Lactobacillus spp. recorded 52mm, indicating robust phthalate degradation capabilities. Anaerobic bacterial counts varied with soil depth, peaking at 48cm {29 × 10³ Cfu/g}, whereas fungal counts were highest in FL5 {16 × 10⁵ Cfu/g}.Result from GCMS analysis shows that the compound has been degradation. Toxicity tests on beans germination revealed the fungal degradation effluents is 83.33% germination, 7mm radicle, 8mm plumule and bacterial effluents is 50% germination, 5mm radicle, 7mm plumule. The use of methylene blue as a mediator enhanced degradation, as evidenced by visual assays. These findings highlight the potential of Mucor spp. and Lactobacillus spp. for sustainable bioremediation of phthalate-contaminated sites .The study underscores the influence of soil depth and environmental conditions on microbial activity and advocates for further research into field-scale applications and degradation mechanisms to optimize bioremediation strategies.
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