Candida tropicalis: characterization of a strain capable of degrading high concentrations of phenol.

PURPOSE OF WORK: This study was to demonstrate the degradation effectiveness and application potential of Candida tropicalis JH8. A phenol-degrading yeast was isolated from activated sludge and was identified as C. tropicalis. It used phenol as the sole source of carbon at up to 1,800 mg l(-1). The optimal conditions for phenol degradation were pH 6 at 37 °C with a 2% (v/v) inoculum. Complete degradation of 1,800 mg phenol l(-1) was achieved after 62 h. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011