Describe how you would isolate a microorganism which was cap

Describe how you would isolate a microorganism which was capable of degrading phenol (enrichment culture).

Solution

For isolation of phenol degrading strains mineral salts medium is prepared.The enrichment cultures are prepared in this medium from an argon sparged sediment slurry.A small portion of slurry is added in bottles.Then it\'s incubated after which phenol loss and turbidity due to bacterial growth is observed.When phenol is lost 0.5mM is added along with nitrate 10mM and serial dilutions are made. Colonies of phenol degrading organisms are seen in highest dilution.Phenol concentrations can be measured by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).