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SummaryCultivation of Corynebaeterium hydrocarboclastus, which is capable of synthesizing an extracellular polymer and utilized hydrocarbons, has been reported. Growth studies in shake flasks and fermenters were made to obtain maximum polymer production. Polymer formation was found to be growth associated. The highest level of polymer accumulation was attained after 50-60 hr cultivation in the fermenter and it amounted to approximately 5.5-6 g/liter of fermentation broth. The medium contained initially 2% (v/v) kerosene as a carbon source. The maximum yield obtained corresponds to 37-40% (w/w) of kerosene supplied. At the same time the cell concentration was 10-13 g/liter which represents the yield of 6 7 4 7 % (w/w). .The rate of polymer production in the exponential phase was 0.25 g/liter hr and cell production rate was 0.27 g/liter hr. Sodium nitrate, 0.5%, and yeast extract, 0.3Yc, (w/w) were the best nigrogen sources for polymer formation. The highest level of polymer produced in broth was 6 g/liter.

Rapid and preferential dechlorination of the ortho chlorine from 2,6-, 2,4- and 2,3- dichlorophenol substrates was observed in semi-continuous cultures inoculated with 50% unacclimated anaerobic sludge. The rate of further dechlorination depended on the position of the second chlorine atom. The dechlorination rates for the second chlorine ranked ortho > para > meta. Complete mineralization to methane was only observed in cultures fed 2,6-dichlorophenol. Addition of activated carbon to the anaerobic cultures showed some benefit to the degradation process.

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