Mesoporous molecular sieve (MCM-41) as support material for microbial cell immobilization and transformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT): a novel system for whole cell immobilization

The physical immobilization of whole microbial cells of Arthrobacter sp., Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus on the mesoporous molecular sieve of MCM-41 was studied. Cells of Arthrobacter sp. immobilized on the matrix of MCM-41 could be successfully employed in the treatment of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its subsequent transformation to amino products. Some significant advantages observed in this novel method of immobilization were the proliferation of whole cells while on the matrix of MCM-41, increase in tolerance (from 60 to 400 mg l−1) to TNT, repeated use of the immobilized cells for 20–23 cycles and total regeneration of support material.