Isolation, Identification and Degradation Characterization of p-Chlorotoluene Degrading Strain

A bacterium(strain ycsd01) capable of growing with p-chlorotoluene(p-CT) as sole carbon and energy sources was isolated from rhizosphere soil in phragmites wetland by using the enrichment culture contaminated with p-CT concentration gradient of 20, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 mgldrL
^-1
. Morphology, physio-biochemical characteristics and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequence indicate that strain ycsd01, which is Gram-positive, facultative aerobic and mobile, forming single oval spore, clearly belongs to
Bacillus

licheniformis
. The suitable initial p-CT concentration, degradation temperature and pH value for satisfactory degradation were about 120 mgldrL
^-1
, 30degC and pH 7.0, for 4d in minimal medium culture fluids at vaccination of 10%. Results could offer useful information for the application of strain ycsd01 in bioremediation or the control of p-chlorotoluene-polluted environment.