Disappearance of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate from different cultures with Anabaena sp. HB 1017

Cultures of the cyanobacterium, Anabaena sp., were investigated for ability to degrade linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) under different culture conditions. Under mineral medium and light conditions, LAS disappearance increased with time, but decreased at higher LAS concentrations. When glucose medium was used with either light or dark, a temporary decrease in LAS by day two, was followed by a temporary resurgence by days four to seven, before a final precipitous reduction. In mineral medium and darkness, LAS disappearance was dependent on concentration. In general the mineral medium caused a greater disappearance of LAS than glucose medium, and light caused a greater disappearance than darkness.