Evaluation of nutritional and environmental conditions for phenol degradation by a lebanese strain of Candida tropicalis

Phenol is a toxic hydrocarbon for nervous system, kidneys, liver, muscles and immune system. It is also mutagenic and possibly carcinogenic. Phenol containing- pollutants are dangerous and spread worldwide in the industrial effluents.The present study aimed to isolate a potent microorganism able to degrade phenol, as well as to evaluate the nutritional and environmental conditions that lead to its maximum degradation. A yeast isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil on MSM supplemented with phenol as sole carbon source, was identified by 28S rDNA sequencing.