DEGRADATION OF PHENOLIC-COMPOUNDS BY MICROORGANISMS INDIGENOUS TO SWINE WASTE

Degradation of phenol and p-cresol by mixed microorganisms indigenous to swine manure was investigated. Resting-cell suspensions catalyzed complete degradation of both compounds under aerobic conditions. The stoichiometry of the phenol-oxidase system yielded a value of 6 mol of CO//2 produced when 7 mol of O//2 and 1 mol of phenol were consumed, while the p-cresol-oxidase system yielded a value of 7 mol of CO//2 produced when 8. 5 mol of O//2 and 1 mol of p-cresol were consumed. Although phenol and p-cresol were completely degraded by intact, mixed cells under aerobic conditions, these compounds were not metabolized under the anaerobic conditions used.