Immobilization of Rhodococcus erythropolis B4 on radiation crosslinked poly(vinylpyrrolidone) hydrogel:: Application to the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

A poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) hydrogel crosslinked by gamma radiation was used to immobilize, by adsorption, Rhodococcus erythropolis B4 strain. Immobilized cells were tested for their capacity to degrade naphthalene and anthracene, under aerobic conditions. The results showed that, the strain fixed is capable of growing in the presence of naphthalene or anthracene as a unique source of carbon. It was also shown that, the fixed strain can be preserved by freeze-drying for further use. The biodegradation capacity was improved during the second use. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.