Di-n-butyl phthalate removal by strain Deinococcus sp. R5 in batch reactors

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), belonging to the family of phthalic acid esters, is usually used as the plasticizer. Extensive and massive plastic commodities use has made DBP the most identified chemical in environment. DBP is also suspected as a mutagen and an endocrine-disrupting chemical. Thus, cautious treatment and deposal of DBP containing wastewater and waste is critically important. In our previous study, potential microbial consortia capable of treating wastewater with 1000 mg l−1 DBP were successfully acclimatized. In this research, DBP utilizing strains are isolated from the acclimatized mixed culture. DBP degradation of pure strains is explored in synthetic and actual wastewaters. The results indicated total 9 strains were isolated and 6 strains (T1, T2, T3, R1, R4, and R5) could utilize 500 mg l−1 DBP for growth. Among these candidates, strain R5 demonstrated the best DBP removal efficiency, and was identified as Deinococcus sp. by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Strain Deinococcus sp. R5 could utilize DBP for growth when the initial DBP concentration was lower than 1000 mg l−1 in both wastewaters. DBP removal efficiencies in both wastewaters could achieve 100% within 140 h. •Pure strain was used to remove various DBP concentrations in synthetic and actual wastewaters using batch reactors.•Kinetics of DBP biodegradation by strain Deinococcus sp. R5 in wastewaters was established.•Strain Deinococcus sp. R5 could utilize DBP in both wastewaters when the initial concentration lower than 1000 mg l−1.•DBP removal efficiencies in both wastewaters achieved 100% within 140 h.