Physical Characterization of Rhodococcus zopfii DSM 44108 Bacteria Isolated from Municipal Sludge

摘要

This paper presents physical characteristic of Rhodococcus zopfii through the use of Environment Scanning Electron Microscopy. This bacterium is very significant in enhancing degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the presence of natural biofilm in waste water treatment system. Rhodococcus zopfii was isolated from municipal sludge at Universiti Teknologi MARA. The average size of Rhodococcus zopfii was measured in the range of 1.1–2.85μm lengths and 0.55-0.80μm diameters. The colour of this bacterium was slightly pink on agar plate and it had rod shaped. Experimental results obtained from confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that this bacterium can easily attach on the surface of biofilm. The experimental results provide a scientific knowledge of physical characteristic of Rhodococcus zopfii isolated from municipal sludge to grow on natural biofilm in wastewater treatment system.