Detergent (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate)-splitting Enzyme from Bacteria

Abstract

THE persistence of synthetic detergent compounds in treated sewage effluents and rural water supplies has become an increasing problem¹. Several investigations have been carried out, using methylene blue colorimetric and manometric techniques, of the bio-degradation of these materials by the mixed bacterial flora in sewage and river water². Payne and Feisal³ succeeded in isolating from benthonic soils two strains of bacteria, of which one could utilize lauryl sulphate and the other both lauryl sulphate and alkyl benzenesulphonate as sole carbon sources. Investigation of detergent metabolism at the enzyme-level has not yet been reported.