| Abstract |
The bacteria capable of utilizing polyethylene glycol(PEG) 6,000 as a sole carbon source were isolated from soil and sewage water connected to factory area. The isolate designated as EL-033 had high biodegradability on PEG 6,000, and was identified as Micrococcus sp. Micrococcus sp. EL-033 could grow on and degrade di-, tri-, tetraethylene glycols and PEGs with molecular weight up to 6,000 and very slowly stilize PEG 20,000 as sole carbon source, but not degrade ethylene glycol. The growth rate of isolate was increased in the higher molecular weight PEGs. The optical culture medium was established to be as follow: PEG 6,000, 0.2%(w/v); K₂HPO₄, 0.1%; NaH₂PO₄·12H₂O, 0.1%; MgSO₄·7H₂O, 0.05%; polypeptone, 0.1% in distilled water, pH7.5. About 90% of PEG 6,000 was degraded in exponential phase of 48h culture and PEG 6,000 was completely degraded during 72h. |
