Biodegradation of palm oil mill effluent (POME) by bacteria.

Abstract

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is produced in large volumes by many of the palm oil mills in Malaysia and contributes a major source of pollution. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the biodegradation potential of bacterial isolated from POME and to find the most suitable strain(s) for a biological treatment technology of POME. The isolates were identified by sequences analysis of 16S rRNA genes. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA of the isolates suggests that they were identified as Micrococcus luteus101PB, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia102PB, Bacillus cereus103PB, Providencia vermicola104PB, Klebsiella pneumoniae105PB and Bacillus subtilis106PB.Results revealed that total suspended solids (TSS), oil and grease were reduced dynamically with treatments after 5 days. Bacillus cereus103PB produced the highest activity in reducing TSS (71.63%), oil and grease (85.14%).Simulation study results showed comparable reduction of parameters measured. The results presented in this study of simultaneous removal of TSS, oil and grease, appears useful for practical wastewater treatment as a compact treatment system for POME. Thus the strain Bacillus cereus103PB is the most effective bacteria and the best candidate to use in biological treatment technology of POME having the highest TSS, oil and grease reduction rate. Hence Bacillus cereus103PB do possess the biodegradation ability and is able to reduce the pollutants of the effluent sample. These results suggested that Bacillus cereus103PB might be applicable to a wastewater treatment system for the removal of TSS and oil. The strain also produces extracellular lipase and cellulase which stimulates better waste treatment. This study demonstrated that POME degrading microorganisms can be isolated from POME polluted area and the degrading ability of these microorganisms is a clear indicator that these bacteria can be applied in the bioremediation techniques for biodegradation of POME to enhance treatment.