Optimization of biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles in soil using response surface methodology.

This paper uses response surface methodology based on the Box-Behnken design to investigate the influence of substrate concentration, inoculation quantity and temperature on the biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic sulfur hydrocarbons in oil-contaminated soil by Pseudomonas sp. LKY-5. Substrate concentration is identified as the most important factor through the analysis of variance. The maximum degradation of PASHs can be achieved at the conditions of substrate concentration of 75.77 ml/kg, inoculation quantity of 20.4% and temperature of 30 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]