The ability of B. thuringiensis to degrade the selected emerging
pollutants was evaluated in batch using Erlenmeyer flasks.
PHE was selected as a model PAHs, an aromatic molecule
composed of three fused benzene, and the insecticide IMI,
a neonicotinoid substance, was selected as model pesticide.
The pH, biomass and pollutant concentrations were followed
in the cultures. During the course of the batch tests, biomass
growth was observed along with a reduction in pH from 7.5
to 6.5. This pH reduction could be the result of the production
of organic acids from microbial activity. The highest level
of removal between the two pollutants tested was for PHE
with almost complete removal (97.3%) after only 10 days. This
is a promising result compared to other bacteria capable of
degrading PAHs. For example, Pseudomonas stutzeri CECT 930
degraded 73% of PHE after 11 days (Ferreira et al., 2014).