ECONOMIC AND SUSTAINABLE BIOREMEDIATION USING LOCALIZED MICROBIAL ISOLATES: THE ROLE OF SUNFLOWER MEAL AS A CARRIER

Industrial wastewater treatment is essential for environmental sustainability, yet conventional activated sludge systems often struggle with recalcitrant petrochemical pollutants such as p-toluic acid, 4-carboxybenzaldehyde, and terephthalic acid. This study explores an economic and sustainable bioremediation approach utilizing localized microbial isolates and sunflower meal as a biodegradable carrier for lyophilized microbial consortia. The research focuses on three key objectives: (1) isolating and characterizing microorganisms capable of degrading recalcitrant petrochemical compounds, (2) evaluating the efficacy of different carrier and protectant combinations in biodegradation performance, and (3) assessing the long-term viability and biodegradation capacity of lyophilized microbial products. Sunflower meal, chosen for its affordability and biocompatibility, was tested in combination with silica, skim milk, and polyvinyl alcohol to enhance microbial viability. Biodegradation performance was monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography, and microbial viability was assessed over 18 months under different storage conditions (+4 degrees C and +27 degrees C). The results demonstrated that lyophilized microbial consortia stored at +4 degrees C achieved up to 100% degradation of p-toluic acid, 4-carboxybenzaldehyde, and terephthalic acid, while samples stored at +27 degrees C exhibited significantly reduced biodegradation efficiency. Notably, the combination of sunflower meal with silica proved the most effective in preserving microbial viability and bioremediation potential. These findings highlight the feasibility of using localized microbial isolates and cost-effective carriers to optimize bioremediation processes in industrial wastewater treatment. The study underscores the potential of sunflower meal as a sustainable alternative, aligning with environmental and economic sustainability principles. Future research should focus on scaling up this technology for broader industrial applications