Phenanthrene degradation using Streptomyces variabilis strain RD5 isolated from marine ecosystem

Abstract

a b s t r a c tStreptomyces variabilis strain RD5, a marine actinomycete was isolated from Gulf of Khambhat and was employed to degrade, a model polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, phenanthrene. S. variabilis strain RD5 degraded (50 mg/L phenanthrene within 6 d) and the degradation was confirmed using the different analytical techniques. The phenanthrene biodegradation resulted in the formation of carbonochloridic acid ethyl ester, ethanol and acetone which were found in the mass spectral profile of the recovered degradation products. The plant seeds of Phaseolus mungo did not exhibit any growth inhibition when irrigated with the products of degradation.