FORTIFICATION OF LAUNDRY WATER WITH BACTERIA CAPABLE OF SODIUM DODECYL SULFATE (SDS) REMEDIATION AND PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION. A SUSTAINABLE WAY TO REUSE WATER FOR IRRIGATION

Anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is used in cosmetics and cleaning goods. It discharges into the environment and waterways due to its extensive use. Basal media with 0.05% SDS as the sole carbon source was used to isolate bacteria that can utilize SDS. The isolates survived nitrogen-free medium and solubilized potassium and phosphate. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, Enterobacter cloacae strain MSK86 (OR136425) was identified. Stains-all dye was used to test the bacteria's SDS-utilizing capability. A 49% drop in SDS levels in the broth was observed after 7 days of 24-hour analysis. The bacteria exhibited tolerance to heavy metals like Cd (II), Ar (III), and Zn (II) at concentrations up to 2000 ppm, whereas they were susceptible to Cu (II), Cr (II), and Pb (II) at minimum concentrations of 200, 600, and 1000 ppm, respectively. The bacteria effectively reduced SDS levels in the laundry wash water. The treated water was reused for the irrigation of Capsicum annum L. and Solanum lycopersicum L. until the 45th day of growth. The plants' morphological and phytochemical properties were also analyzed. The potential of bacteria for SDS degradation and plant growth enhancement has been extensively explored independently; however, these traits have not been studied together in a single bacterial strain. In the present study, multifaceted Enterobacter cloacae MSK86 was isolated with these capabilities together, which may help in SDS remediation, making the water reusable for irrigation.