Effect of Rhodococcus rhodochrous IEGM 647 cultivation on biodegradation of drotaverine hydrochloride, a pharma ecotoxicant

The influence of abiotic (temperature, pH, aeration) and biotic (biomass) environmental factors which determine the optimal conditions for the growth of R. rhodochrous strain IEGM 647 in the presence of drotaverine hydrochloride, a pharma ecotoxicant and glucose as additional source of carbon and energy. Effective biodegradation of drotaverine occurred at 28°C and pH 6.8, using the hydrodynamic regime with alternative intense or mild agitation (160, 60, 160 rpm). The biomass amount added to the medium did not affect the duration of the biodegradation process.