The aromatic compounds Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are one of the largest groups of environmental pollutants. The greatest concern is the release of PCBs in the water systems by industrial effluent, accidental spillages or leaks. PCBs are able to bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of animals, fish and humans. The impact on human
health due to PCBs has prompted interest in their degradation. The application of
microbial degradation of PCBs can transform many PCB metabolites. There are a wide
variety of microorganisms that can degrade PCBs or utilise them as sole carbon sources.
This study focused on isolating microrganisms from industrial wastewater capable of
aerobic degradation of PCBs. The degradation potential of the selected isolates were
investigated by using different analytical techniques viz. ultra violet or visible
spectrophotometer (UV/Vis), thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography
electron capture detector (GC-ECD).
