Degradation of chloroform by immobilized cells of Bacillus sp in calcium alginate beads

A Bacillus sp., capable of degrading chloroform, was immobilized in calcium alginate. The beads in 20 g alginate l(-1) (about 2 x 10(8) cells/bead) could be re-used nine times for degradation of chloroform at 40 mu M. The immobilized cells had a higher range of tolerance (pH 6.5-9 and 20-41 degrees C) than free cells (pH 7-8.5 and 28-32 degrees C). At 5 g alginate l(-1), leakage of the cells from the beads was 0.51 mg dry wt ml(-1). This species is the first reported Bacillus that can degrade chloroform as the sole carbon source.