1 BIODEGRADATION OF LINEAR ALKYL BENZENE SULFONATE BY BACTERIAL CONSORTIUM

Surface active agents (surfactants) are chemical compounds which are massively used as raw material in detergent production. Synthetic type surfactants are often used because they perform better and more economical compared to natural detergents. Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate (LAS) is one of synthetic surfactants that is widely used. Although LAS is biodegradable, its introduction to the environment in big amount harms the water bodies. Research on biodegradation of LAS with 100 ppm, 400 ppm, 700 ppm, 1000 ppm and 1500 ppm concentrations was conducted by using consortium of bacteria comprises of Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus aglomerans, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus alvae. Experiments were carried out in twelve days, in 29oC temperature with initial total inoculum bacteria 1,59 x 108 CFU/mL. Results showed that this type of bacterial consortium could live until 1500 ppm in LAS environment. However, significant growth rate did not occurr, 0.039 – 0.042 hour-1 and not too efficiently reduce Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) for those systems. Surface tension in several variated concentration of LAS: 0 ppm>100 ppm>400 ppm>700 ppm, LAS 700 ppm = 1000 ppm = 1500 ppm