Generation of continuous packed bed reactor with PVA–alginate blend immobilized Ochrobactrum sp. DGVK1 cells for effective removal of N, N-dimethylformamide from industrial effluents

► Removal of DMF was compared by free and immobilized cells of Ochrobactrum sp. DGVK1. ► Ochrobactrum sp. DGVK1 cells entrapped in PVA–alginate have shown more tolerance. ► PVA–alginate beads removed DMF even in the presence of other organic solvents. ► Removal of DMF from industrial effluents by PVA–alginate blended batch operations. ► Development of industrially feasible remediation strategy for DMF removal. Effective removal of dimethylformamide (DMF), the organic solvent found in industrial effluents of textile and pharma industries, was demonstrated by using free and immobilized cells of Ochrobactrum sp. DGVK1, a soil isolate capable of utilizing DMF as a sole source of carbon, nitrogen. The free cells have efficiently removed DMF from culture media and effluents, only when DMF concentration was less than 1% (v/v). Entrapment of cells either in alginate or in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) failed to increase tolerance limits. However, the cells of Ochrobactrum sp. DGVK1 entrapped in PVA–alginate mixed matrix tolerated higher concentration of DMF (2.5%, v/v) and effectively removed DMF from industrial effluents. As determined through batch fermentation, these immobilized cells have retained viability and degradability for more than 20 cycles. A continuous packed bed reactor, generated by using PVA–alginate beads, efficiently removed DMF from industrial effluents, even in the presence of certain organic solvents frequently found in effluents along with DMF.