Optimal Conditions Dramatically Enhance the Degradation Of M-Xylene by Phyllosphere Bacteria, Clearly Outpacing the Breakdown of Other BTEX Compounds.

Abstract

BTEX compounds comprises of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, o-xylene, and p-xylene pose significant environmental pollution risks due to their rising production and use. This study examined optimal conditions for biodegradation by investigating factors like pH, temperature, agitation rates, and nitrogen availability. The results revealed that phyllosphere bacteria could significantly improve the degradation of these toxic hydrocarbons, with Pseudomonas putida HLPSC8 emerging as the most effective strain. Optimal conditions favoured the degradation of m-xylene, achieving the lowest residual hydrocarbon levels with minimal cell biomass generation. These findings point to promising avenues for further research into other bacterial strains for hydrocarbon degradation, which is crucial for environmental management. Understanding the performance of Pseudomonas putida HLPSC8 lays the groundwork for future studies on varying hydrocarbon concentrations and biodegradation strategies..