ROURKELA: A research team of the National Institute of Technology-Rourkela (NIT-R) has secured patent for its novel bacterial biofilm technology that degrades phenanthrene, a toxic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) found in industrial chemical waste.
Contrary to the conventional methods for wastewater treatment, this technology offers environment friendly, effective and cost-efficient solution.
Informing about the grant of patent on Thursday, the NIT-R said PAHs are hazardous organic compounds capable of contaminating soil and water through fossil fuel combustion, industrial discharge and oil spills. The traditional methods used to address this challenge with chemical oxidation or soil excavation are expensive and often generate secondary pollution. But the new technology provides a cheaper alternate to the global challenge of wastewater treatment.
The developed biofilm comprises cells attached to the substratum within an extracellular polymeric matrix. The research team grew the biofilm using Luria Bertani broth, a nutrient-rich medium.
Lead researcher Prof Surajit Das of the department of Life Science said, “The biofilm is well-compatible for integration in existing reactors used at municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, especially those dealing with hydrocarbon-based pollutants. Our patented technology also opens opportunities for potential collaboration with the petrochemical industry to promote more sustainable pollution control practices.”
This new biofilm technology has shown 95 per cent degradation of phenanthrene over a period of five days. It has also demonstrated rapid PAH degradation attributed to enhanced metabolic capacity and structural stability of the biofilm matrix, which supports increased microbial cell density, prolonged viability and effective substrate utilisation.
Moreover, the biofilm contains a protective layer of extracellular polymeric substances that helps in dissolving and absorbing the harmful molecules while protecting the microbes from toxic effect.
Research graduate Kumari Uma Mahto said the technology can help in mitigating the impact of industrial oil spills where phenanthrene and other PAHs pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems. It will also be highly beneficial for regions with high industrial activity and inadequate pollution control infrastructure.
The findings of the present study highlight the potential of biofilm-based systems for enhanced biodegradation of persistent organic pollutants in wastewater treatment systems and contaminated aquatic environments.
The research team further plans to test the developed method on wider range of stubborn pollutants for extended usage and also looking for collaborative alliances to help move the technology from lab success to on-the-ground and large-scale use.