Decolourisation of molasses wastewater by cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens immobilised on porous cellulose carrier

Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from soil samples contaminated with molasses, decolourised molasses wastewater (MWW) samples up to 76% under non-sterile conditions in four days at 30 degreesC. Immobilised cells could be reused for decolourisation activity. However, in subsequent cycles, this was found to decrease from 76% to 50% and from 50% to 24%. Decolourisation activity was regenerated from 30%, to 45% by recultivating the immobilised cells in a fresh growth medium. Cellulose carrier coated with collagen was found to be most effective carrier, which produced the highest decolourisation activity of 94% in a 4-day process. This carrier could be reused with 50% of the decolourisation activity retained until the seventh day. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.