Bioremediation of high-strength agricultural wastewater using Ochrobactrum sp. strain SZ1.
The biggest agricultural sector that contributes to the Malaysian economy is the oil palm industry. The effluent generated during the production of crude palm oil known as palm oil mill effluent (POME). POME undergoes anaerobic treatment that requires long retention time and produces large amount of methane that consequently contributes to global warming. In this study, an isolated bacteria was selected based on its ability to degrade kraft lignin (KL) and identified as Ochrobactrum sp. The bacteria were able to treat POME (from anaerobic pond) under the aerobic condition without addition of nutrient, resulting in a significant chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 71 %, removal rate of 1385 mg/l/day, and 12.3 times higher than that of the ponding system. It has also resulted in 60 % removal of ammoniacal nitrogen and 55 % of total polyphenolic after 6-day treatment period with the detection of lignocellulolytic enzymes.
Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia. chinhong@hotmail.com.
Chin Hong
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8507-1980
CH
Neoh
Department of Biosciences and Health Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Chi Yong
CY
Lam
Department of Biosciences and Health Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Suriati Mat
SM
Ghani
Institute of Bioproduct Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Ismail
I
Ware
Institute of Bioproduct Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Siti Hajar Mat
SH
Sarip
Department of Biosciences and Health Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia. zaharah@fbb.utm.my.
Zaharah
Z
Ibrahim
Heavy metal; Kraft lignin; Lignocellulolytic enzymes; Palm oil mill effluent; Polyphenolic