Statistics-based experimental designs were applied to optimize the culture conditions for tetrahydrofuran (THF) degradation by a newly isolated Rhodococcus sp. YYL that tolerates high THF concentrations. Single factor experiments were undertaken for determining the optimum range of each of four factors (initial pH and concentrations of K(2)HPo(4) center dot 3H(2)O, NH(4)Cl and yeast extract) and these factors were subsequently optimized using the response surface methodology. The Plackett-Burman design was used to identify three trace elements (Mg(2+), Zn(2+)and Fe(2+)) that significantly increased the THF degradation rate. The optimum conditions were found to be: 1.80 g/L NH(4)Cl, 0.81 g/L K(2)HPO(4) center dot 3H(2)O, 0.06 g/L yeast extract, 0.40 g/L MgSO(4) center dot 7H(2)O, 0.006 g/L ZnSO(4) center dot 7H(2)O. 0.024 g/L FeSO(4) center dot 7H(2)O, and an initial pH of 8.26. Under these optimized conditions, the maximum THF degradation rate increased to 137.60 ring THF h(-1) g dry weight in Rhodococcus sp. YYL, which was nearly five times of that by the previously described THF degrading Rhodococcus strain. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.