Response of resident bacteria in a tropical detergent effluent-polluted stream to linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS)

Abstract

Bacteria were isolated from a tropical detergent-polluted stream, and their responses to linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) were investigated. The responses of the resident bacteria were assessed in terms of their ability or failure to grow in the presence of LAS and of their potential to degrade the surfactant. Eighteen bacterial species were encountered, identified and categorised as LAS-sensitive bacteria, LAS-tolerant bacteria and LAS-degrading bacteria. Thirteen species were tolerant of LAS (0.1% w/v), of which eight showed the potential to degrade LAS, and five were sensitive to LAS (0.1% w/v). The responses of the bacteria can be relied upon in assessing water for the presence of LAS. The potential of some of the resident bacteria to degrade LAS can be explored with the aim of deveoping methods for the amelioration of detergent effluent pollution through the bio-treatment of effluent before discharge.

African Journal of Aquatic Science 2007, 32(2): 159–163