Anaerobic bioconversion of phthalic acid esters by natural inocula

Abstract
The anaerobic bioconversion of selected phthalic acid esters (PAEs) was investigated using inocula from diverse natural habitats. Results of bioconversion studies indicated that di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DBP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) levels were reduced by 80% and 50%, respectively, after 4 weeks incubation in samples inoculated with diluted anaerobic digester sludge; greater than 90% bioconversion of DBP and BBP was observed in samples inoculated with either anaerobic freshwater or salt marsh sediment. Bis(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was not degraded by any inocula tested. The persistence of DEHP was apparently not associated with DEHP toxicity to indigenous microflora.

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