Biodegradation of Phenol and 4-Chlorophenol by Candida tropicalis W1

AbstractCandida tropicalis W1 was isolated from the sludge in Yantai of China by selective enrichment with phenol. The biodegradation studies were performed in a liquid medium with phenolic compounds as the sole source of carbon and energy. The strain had degraded phenol concentration of 900ppm in 30h, but had no marked degradation activity on 4-chlorophenol. Supplying the strain with phenol and 4-chlorophenol both at 150ppm, C. tropicalis W1 could completely degrade them in 20h. The results demonstrate that the phenol can induce the degradation of 4- chlorophenol