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As reported by , the research team, led by Dr. Inna Solyannikova, Director of the BelSU Regional Microbiological Centre, collaborated with colleagues from the Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research” and the Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Together, they explored the potential of Rhodococcus opacus, a bacterium capable of breaking down phenolic compounds even in high concentrations.

Pollution caused by difficult-to-decompose natural and synthetic compounds is one of the most pressing global environmental issues. Phenol, known for its toxicity to living organisms, is prevalent not only in industrial applications but also occurs naturally. While some plants produce phenols as a defence mechanism against pests and UV radiation, they also emerge during the degradation of organic matter.

According to researchers from BelSU, toxic phenols predominantly enter the environment through industrial waste generated by various sectors, including leather, furniture and paper manufacturing, as well as metallurgical, coking, and chemical processing plants. Additionally, waste from the production of adhesives, plastics, and pesticides contributes to this pollution.

Current methods for removing phenol from wastewater are often costly and not always effective. The BelSU team argues that employing bacteria for this purpose is both environmentally friendly and economically advantageous.

However, the challenge lies in identifying suitable microbial cultures. Dr. Solyannikova noted that phenol becomes toxic to most microorganisms at relatively low concentrations – starting from just half a gram per litre of water – making it difficult to find resilient strains.

The research team successfully identified a culture of Rhodococcus opacus that not only survives in phenol-saturated environments but also metabolises the toxin, breaking it down into harmless components. Their findings revealed that when immobilised – fixed in a gel or on another carrier – this bacterium can decompose phenol concentrations up to 2.5 grams per litre.

“This represents the best result among bacteria documented in scientific literature,” Dr. Solyannikova said to RIA Novosti.

The strain has been deposited in the All-Russian Collection of Microorganisms and is protected by a Russian patent. Another key outcome of the study is that these immobilised bacterial cells can be stored for up to 12 months, allowing them to be readily deployed for water purification without the need for extensive preparation.

The results of this collaborative research have been published in the international journal , highlighting the potential for this innovative approach to address one of the major environmental challenges posed by industrial waste.