Biodegradation kinetics of diuron by Pseudomonas aeruginosa FN and optimization of biodegradation using response surface methodology

Diuron is a selective and the most persistent herbicide. Widespread use of this compound has led to the elevated concentrations of diuron in groundwater and wastewater. The main objectives of this study were to investigate biodegradation of diuron by Pseudomonas aeruginosa FN and evolved degradation product, 3,4-dichloroanilines (3,4-DCA). The influence of temperature, initial optical density of Pseudomonas aeruginosa FN and initial diuron concentration were examined to further optimize biodegradation of diuron, and the effect of these factors were investigated by the response surface methodology (RSM) and full factorial design (FFD). The optimal biodegradation conditions were obtained at T = 25 degrees C, gamma (diuron) = 0.5 mg/L and initial optical density of 0.2. The biodegradation kinetic of diuron was described by Monod model and the obtained value of F-test was grater that 0.96 which showed good correlation between Monod model and experimental results.