Investigation of the biodegradation of pentachlorophenol by the predominant bacterial strains in a mixed culture

A pentachlorophenol (PCP) degrading mixed culture contained three predominant strains identified as Flavobacterium gleum, Agrobacterium radiobacter and Pseudomonas sp. The relative abilities of the three strains to degrade PCP were tested individually and in combination. Rates of PCP degradation by individual isolates were lower than that observed for the three isolates combined. Of the individual strains, Flavobacterium gleum manifested highest PCP degradation ability. A biodegradation medium inoculated with a combination of the three isolates exhibited PCP degradation patterns similar to the original mixed culture. Varying low amounts of tetrachlorophenol were found in degradation medium inoculated with individual isolates, but this intermediate was absent from media inoculated with the mixed culture.