DETOXIFICATION OF METHANOL BY METHYLOTROPHIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM HYPERSALINE ENVIRONMENT

Tambekar DH; Rajgire AV; Kubde AP

Volume : VI, Issue : VIII, August - 2016

DETOXIFICATION OF METHANOL BY METHYLOTROPHIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM HYPERSALINE ENVIRONMENT

Tambekar Dh, Rajgire Av, Kubde Ap

Abstract :

Microorganisms have ability to metabolize a variety of chemical compound, other environmental pollutants and these capabilities make them useful for application as bioremediating agents. Methanol is the toxic and hazardous pollutant to health and environments. Lonar Lake harbors number of methylotrophic bacteria and found potential to detoxify methanol therefore the objective of the study was to isolate the methylotroph to detoxify it. Among the isolates, potential strains, Achromobacter ruhlandii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated and selected on its methanol utilization property and identified based on cultural, morphological, biochemical characterization and 16S rRNA gene analysis. These isolates were found to utilize methanol up to 77 – 78%. The study indicated that these potential bacterial isolates therefore can be employed effectively to detoxify methanol and other C1 compounds on polluted sites.