Page 136 - CW E-Magazine (5-8-2025)

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SUSTAINABLE & COST-EFFECTIVE
NIT Rourkela develops bacterial biofi lm to treat

chemical industry waste

Researchers at the National Institute
of Technology-Rourkela ((NIT-R) have
developed and patented a novel bacte-
rial biofi lm technology that can degrade
phenanthrene – a toxic Polycyclic Aro-
matic Hydrocarbon (PAH) commonly
found in industrial chemical waste.

Informing about the grant of pat-
ent, the NIT-R said PAHs are hazardous
organic compounds capable of contami-
nating soil and water through fossil fuel
combustion, industrial discharge and
oil spills. The traditional methods used
to address this challenge with chemi-
cal oxidation or soil excavation are “The new biofi lm is well-compa- Research Graduate, NIT Rourkela. The
expensive and often generate secondary tible for integration in existing biofi lm biofi lm contains a protective layer of
pollution. But the new technology pro- reactors used at municipal and industri- Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS)
vides a cheaper alternate to the global al wastewater treatment facilities, espe- that helps in dissolving and absorbing
challenge of wastewater treatment. cially those dealing with hydrocarbon- the harmful molecules while protecting
based pollutants,” said Prof. Surajit the microbes from toxic effects.
The patented biofi lm, comprising Das, Department of Life Science, NIT
cells attached to the substratum within Rourkela. “Our patented technology The fi ndings also highlight the poten-
an extracellular polymeric matrix, also opens opportunities for potential tial of biofi lm-based systems for
enabled 95 percent degradation of collaboration with the petrochemical enhanced biodegradation of persistent
phenanthrene in just fi ve days. industry to promote more sustainable organic pollutants in wastewater treat-
pollution control practices,” he added. ment systems and contaminated aquatic
The biofi lm was developed us- environments, NIT Rourkela informed.
ing Luria Bertani broth, a nutrient- “The technology can help in mitigat-
rich medium. It has also demonstrated ing the impact of industrial oil spills, The research team plans to test the
rapid PAH degradation attributed to where phenanthrene and other PAHs developed method on wider range of
enhanced metabolic capacity and struc- pose a serious threat to marine ecosys- stubborn pollutants for extended us-
tural stability of the biofi lm matrix, tems. It will also be highly benefi cial age and also looking for collaborative
which supports increased microbial cell for regions with high industrial activity alliances to help move the technology
density, prolonged viability, and effec- and inadequate pollution control infra- from lab success to on-the-ground and
tive substrate utilisation. structure,” said Dr. Kumari Uma Mahto, large-scale use.
Chembond allotted land in Karnataka for new

manufacturing unit

Chembond Material Technologies Area (sub layout) in Belagavi district, Chembond plans to set up a unit for
Ltd. (formerly Chembond Chemicals for establishing a manufacturing unit manufacture of metal treatment chemi-
Ltd.) has informed that the Karnataka on ‘lease-cum-sale basis’. As per a cals, automotive sealants, engineering
Industrial Areas Development Board stock exchange fi ling, the cost of the adhesives, coatings, maintenance repair
has allotted land at Kanagala Industrial plot of land is around Rs. 8-crore. overhaul (MRO) products, etc.

136 Chemical Weekly August 5, 2025

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