Suitable buffering system for the growth of Pseudomonas putida (To-5) on toluene

A bacteria was isolated from the activated sludge of a pharmaceuticals wastewater treatment plant and identified as a Pseudomonas putida (To-5). Strain To-5 was capable of growth on toluene as the sole source of carbon and energy. Given the decrease in pH with toluene metabolism, studies were carried out to investigate a suitable buffering system for the growth medium in the presence of toluene. After selection of the suitable buffer, concentration of the buffer was optimized. Based on the stability of the strain To-5 to grow and pH control in the system, the 0.5 M buffer was selected to investigate the optimum pH of growth of the organisms when toluene was used as the sole carbon source and energy.