Mixed culture biooxidation of phenol. I. Determination of kinetic parameters

A mixed culture derived from soil and activated sludge organisms was used to degrade phenol which was inhibitory to microorganisms at higher concentrations. The purpose of the experiments was to determine the kinetic parameters governing growth of the organisms by measuring growth rates in batch culture. To maintain a constant inoculum for the experiments inoculum was taken from a continuously operating continuous culture. Two populations were studied corresponding to two separate residence times in the continuous culture apparatus. One contained predominantly filamentous organisms, the other nonfilamentous. Five kinetic models were applied to the data and the best kinetic parameters for each model were determined by nonlinear least squares techniques. The models were then evaluated for best relative fit to the data. No significant differences were found between the models on the basis of fit and so a choice was made on the grounds of simplicity. A model proposed by Haldane was chosen as the best. No function however gave a satisfactory fit at the highest growth rates obtained. This experimental maximum in the plot of growth rate against substrate concentration was very sharp.     

Influence of 2,4-dinitrophenol on the characteristics of activated sludge in batch reactors

The response of activated sludge characteristics to the presence of 2,4-dinitrophenol (dNP) in batch cultures was investigated in this study. The sludge yield slightly decreased with an increase in dNP concentration. At 10 mg l(-1), or lower, dNP significantly reduced sludge yield and relative specific growth rates (mu/mu0), but didn't substantially affect its relative specific chemical oxygen demand removal rate (q/q0). Presence of dNP at 1-20 mg l(-1) increased the specific oxygen uptake rate of activated sludge, and slightly changed its hydrophobicity. An analysis on inhibition indicated that the reduction in sludge yield in the presence of dNP was mainly attributed to the significant decreased sludge growth, rather than the reduced substrate degradation.     

Kinetic studies of phenol degradation by Rhodococcus sp. P1 I. Batch cultivation

Rhodococcus sp. P1 utilizes phenol as the sole carbon and energy source via the beta-ketoadipate pathway. In batch cultivation, concentrations up to 2.8 g.l-1 phenol were degraded. The highest values for the specific growth rate of 0.32 h-1 were obtained at concentrations near 0.25 g.l-1. At higher concentrations, substrate inhibition was observed, characterized by increases in lag phase and decreasing growth rates. A mathematical expression was proposed to fit the kinetic pattern of phenol inhibition on the specific growth rate mu: [formula: see text] Nomenclature: K- Exponent of the inhibition function, Ks- Monod saturation constant, g.l-1, KI- Inhibition constant, g.l-1, S- Substrate concentration in culture broth, g.l-1, So- Initial substrate concentration, g.l-1, Y- Yield constant, g cell dry mass.g substrate-1, mu- Specific growth rate, h-1, mu max- Maximum growth rate, h-1.     

Biodegradable polymers from organic acids by using activated sludge enriched by aerobic periodic feeding

This article describes a new process for the production of biopolymers (polyhydroxyalkanoates, PHAs) based on the aerobic enrichment of activated sludge to obtain mixed cultures able to store PHAs at high rates and yields. Enrichment was obtained through the selective pressure established by feeding the carbon source in a periodic mode (feast and famine regime) in a sequencing batch reactor. A concentrated mixture of acetic, lactic, and propionic acids (overall concentration of 8.5 gCOD L(-1)) was fed every 2 h at 1 day(-1) overall dilution rate. Even at such high organic load (8.5 gCOD L(-1) day(-1)), the selective pressure due to periodic feeding was effective in obtaining a biomass with a storage ability much higher than activated sludges. The immediate biomass response to substrate excess (as determined thorough short-term batch tests) was characterized by a storage rate and yield of 649 mgPHA (as COD) g biomass (as COD)(-1) h(-1) and 0.45 mgPHA (as COD) mg removed substrates (as COD(-1)), respectively. When the substrate excess was present for more than 2 h (long-term batch tests), the storage rate and yield decreased, whereas growth rate and yield significantly increased due to biomass adaptation. A maximum polymer fraction in the biomass was therefore obtained at about 50% (on COD basis). As for the PHA composition, the copolymer poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate/beta-hydroxyvalerate) with 31% of hydroxyvalerate monomer was produced from the substrate mixture. Comparison of the tests with individual and mixed substrates seemed to indicate that, on removing the substrate mixture for copolymer production, propionic acid was fully utilized to produce propionylCoA, whereas the acetylCoA was fully provided by acetic and lactic acid.     

Control of Growth Rate by Initial Substrate Concentration at Values Below Maximum Rate

The hyperbolic relationship between specific growth rate, mu, and substrate concentration, proposed by Monod and used since as the basis for the theory of steady-state growth in continuous-flow systems, was tested experimentally in batch cultures. Use of a Flavobacterium sp. exhibiting a high saturation constant for growth in glucose minimal medium allowed direct measurement of growth rate and substrate concentration throughout the growth cycle in medium containing a rate-limiting initial concentration of glucose. Specific growth rates were also measured for a wide range of initial glucose concentrations. A plot of specific growth rate versus initial substrate concentration was found to fit the hyperbolic equation. However, the instantaneous relationship between specific growth rate and substrate concentration during growth, which is stated by the equation, was not observed. Well defined exponential growth phases were developed at initial substrate concentrations below that required for support of the maximum exponential growth rate and a constant doubling time was maintained until 50% of the substrate had been used. It is suggested that the external substrate concentration initially present "sets" the specific growth rate by establishing a steady-state internal concentration of substrate, possibly through control of the number of permeation sites.     

Re-interpretation of the logistic equation for batch microbial growth in relation to Monod kinetics

Aims:  To determine the underlying substrate utilization mechanism in the logistic equation for batch microbial growth by revealing the relationship between the logistic and Monod kinetics. Also, to determine the logistic rate constant in terms of Monod kinetic constants.
Methods and Results:  The logistic equation used to describe batch microbial growth was related to the Monod kinetics and found to be first-order in terms of the substrate and biomass concentrations. The logistic equation constant was also related to the Monod kinetic constants. Similarly, the substrate utilization kinetic equations were derived by using the logistic growth equation and related to the Monod kinetics.
Conclusion:  It is revaled that the logistic growth equation is a special form of the Monod growth kinetics when substrate limitation is first-order with respect to the substrate concentration. The logistic rate constant ( k ) is directly proportional to the maximum specific growth rate constant ( μ _m) and initial substrate concentration ( S ₀) and also inversely related to the saturation constant ( K _s).
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The semi-empirical logistic equation can be used instead of Monod kinetics at low substrate concentrations to describe batch microbial growth using the relationship between the logistic rate constant and the Monod kinetic constants.     

Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenol on activated sludge

The effects of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) on both acclimated and unacclimated activated sludge were investigated in batch reactors. The IC(50) values on the basis of maximum specific growth rate ( micro(m)), percent chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency and sludge activity were found to be 72, 60 and 47 mg l(-1), respectively, for unacclimated culture. The percent COD removal efficiencies of unacclimated culture were affected adversely, even at low concentrations, whereas culture acclimated to 75 mg 2,4-DCP l(-1) could tolerate about 200 mg 2,4-DCP l(-1)on the basis of COD removal efficiency. Although yield coefficient values of unacclimated culture increased surprisingly to very high values with the addition of 2,4-DCP, a linear decrease with respect to 2,4-DCP concentrations was observed for acclimated culture. Although no removal was observed with unacclimated culture, almost complete removal of 2,4-DCP up to a concentration of 148.7 mg l(-1) was observed with acclimated culture. It was showed that the culture could use 2,4-DCP as sole organic carbon source, although higher removal efficiencies in the presence of a readily degradable substrate were observed. Culture acclimated to 4-chlorophenol used 2,4-DCP as sole organic carbon source better than those acclimated to 2,4-DCP.     

Measurement and mathematical modelling of competition between fast- and slow-growing ordinary heterotrophic organisms in low and high substrate-loaded systems

Ordinary heterotrophic organisms (OHO) of an activated sludge wastewater treatment system showed an atypical growth behaviour when they are inoculated to batch aerobic growth tests with a high substrate-loaded condition. For example, the OHO maximum specific growth rates on readily biodegradable substrates (μ _H) increased with a high ratio of substrate concentration to OHO active biomass concentration (So/Xo), although they were assumed to be constant in a conventional microbial growth kinetic model with a single OHO population group. We, therefore, set a hypothesis in that the change of OHO maximum specific growth rates in the batch test condition is caused by turnover of fast-growing OHO population against slow-growing OHO population. And, a competitive microbial growth kinetic model of the fast- and slow-growing OHO population groups was developed and validated with model-data fitting analysis for the batch test results. The competitive microbial growth kinetic model of process selection, rather than that of kinetic selection, was capable of simulating microbial growth kinetics in high substrate-loaded dynamic systems (i.e., batch tests) and low substrate-loaded steady-state systems (i.e., continuously operated wastewater treatment systems), better than the conventional non-competitive growth kinetic model.     

Kinetic behavior of heterogeneous populations in completely mixed reactors

The kinetic behavior of heterogeneous microbial populations was studied in a continuous flow completely mixed reactor operated at various dilution rates. Glucose was used as the growth-limiting nutrient. The physiological growth parameters for cells harvested from continuous flow reactors were determined using batch experiments. It, was found that the growth parameters, maximum growth rate (μ_m), saturation constant (k_s), and cell yield (Y) vary for each dilution rate, and cannot be considered as precise constants in depicting the kinetic behavior of heterogeneous populations. In addition, it was found that the yield coefficients obtained from batch experiments were always lower than those obtained from continuous flow experiments. Levels of substrate and biological solids calculated for different dilution rates using growth constants from batch experiments did not agree with the experimental values observed in steady-state experiments. However, when the yield values from, the continuous flow experiments were used in conjunction with batch values for μ_m and k_s the theoretical and experimental dilute-out curves agreed fairly closely (within the range needed for engineering prediction) until the culture began to wash out of the unit. In general, the data substantiated the use of the single phase relationship between growth rate and substrate concentration described by the Monod equation, μ = μ_mS/(k_s + s).     

Biosorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) by activated sludge in batch and continuous-flow stirred reactors

Biosorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions in single component and binary systems was studied using activated sludge in batch and continuous-flow stirred reactors. In biosorption experiments, the activated sludge in three different phases of the growth period was used: growing cells; resting cells; dead or dried cells. Because of the low adsorption capacity of the non-viable activated sludge especially in the case of Pb(II) ions, biosorption of the Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions from the binary mixtures was carried out by using the resting cells. The biosorption data fitted better with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model. Using a mathematical model based on continuous system mass balance for the liquid phase and batch system mass balance for the solid phase, the forward rate constants for biosorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions were 0.793 and 0.242 1 (mmolmin)(-1), respectively.     

Evaluation of kinetic parameters and mass transfer of glucose-fed granules under hypoxic conditions

This study demonstrated that the availability of oxygen influenc the kinetic parameters of sludge granules for the utilization and mass transfer of substrates. Batch experiments revealed that substrate utilization of the coupled sludge granules followed Monod’s kinetic model under hypoxic conditions and at initial substrate concentrations ranging from 1,350 to 4,456 mg/L. The corresponding kinetic coefficients of ks (maximum specific substrate glucose utilization rate), Ks (half saturation coefficient), and Y (growth yield) were 5.6 ∼ 7.8/day, 58 ∼ 64 mg/L, and 0.11 ∼ 0.17 mg of MLSS/mg of COD, respectively. Low dissolved oxygen content suppressed the activity of aerobic enzymes, which resulted in a ks value between those of aerobic granules and anaerobic granules. The maximum oxygen consumption rate (ko = 0.89/day) was relatively higher while the half-saturation constant (Ko = 1.71 mg/L) was significantly lower than those of aerobic granules. These results imply that dissolved oxygen was used more efficiently under hypoxic conditions. Thiele modulus (ϕ) and effectiveness factor (η) analysis revealed that the activity of microorganisms inside the granules was limited by the availability of oxygen. These properties differed from those found in aerobic granules, anaerobic granules, and activated sludge.     

Reduction in excess sludge production by addition of chemical uncouplers in activated sludge batch cultures

AIMS: To investigate the possibility of reducing excess sludge production in activated sludge processes by the addition of chemical uncouplers to greatly dissociate anabolism from catabolism. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ortho-chlorophenol (oCP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), 3,3',4',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS), para-dinitrophenol (pNP) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) were chosen for short-term tests for their ability to reduce sludge yield by shaking bottle test. The most effective chemicals, DNP and pNP, together with TCS were tested for various uncoupler concentrations and biomass concentrations. TCS was tested in a lab-scale completely mixed activated sludge batch culture. The model (demonstrated by Liu) was verified with experimental data in completely mixed activated sludge batch test, but was inconsistent with the results from the shaking bottle batch test. The observed growth yield (Yobs) decreased with increasing of the ratio of initial uncoupler concentration to initial biomass concentration (Cu/X0). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the uncouplers oCP, DCP, TCS, pNP and DNP can cause a significant decrease in sludge production, the metabolism of which can explain the decline in sludge yield. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The real strength of chemical uncoupler imposing on biomass should be Cu/X0, not initial uncoupler concentration (Cu) alone. Chemical uncouplers can be used to develop the activated sludge processes for minimizing excess sludge production.     

Comparison of maximum cell yield and maintenance coefficients in axenic cultures and activated sludge communities

Comparison of the equations that describe the relationship between the maximum cell yield coefficient, the maintenance coefficient, and the specific growth rate at steady-state conditions revealed that the equations used for axenic cultures are congruent with those commonly used for mixed-culture system such as activated sludge. A unified basis was proposed. The expression of the yield and maintenance coefficients in carbon units according to the unified basis permitted one to evaluate literature data on both axenic and mixed-culture systems. From this it appears that the maximum cell yield ranges from 0.50–0.80 (mg biomass carbon formed/mg substrate carbon used) for both axenic and mixed systems. However, the maintenance coefficient (mg substrate C/mg biomass C·hr) for the axenic cultures was between 0.010 and 0.100, but for activated sludge communities it was between 0.001 and 0.010. Microorganisms were isolated from sludge communities with these apparently low maintenance requirements and grown axenilly. Their maintenance coefficients but not their maximum yield coefficients decreased with decreasing specific growth rates. The consequences of this finding with regard to species selection in mixed-culture systems and the concept of cellular maintenance requirement are discussed.     

Substrate inhibition kinetics: Phenol degradation by Pseudomonas putida

A pure culture of Pseudoinonas putida was grown in both a batch and continuous culture using phenol as the limiting substrate. Of two substrate inhibition models examined, the Haldane function was found to statistically best describe the kinetics. The applicable kinetic constants were either measured (μ_M, K_I) or estimated (K_S) from the experimental data. Particularly in the continuous culture, wall growth was found to exert significant effects on the broth biomass concentration and phenol conversion, both of which decreased with increasing amounts of wall growth. These effects are opposite to those predicted by wall growth models and to experimental results of others using mixed culture (activated sludge) systems.     

The production and growth characteristics of yeast and mycelial forms of Candida albicans in continuous culture.

The growth characteristics of Candida albicans CM145,348 have been examined under aerobic conditions in continuous culture. At different steady states the environment was controlled with respect to the concentrations of dissolved oxygen, carbon and nitrogen, the pH, and the temperature. Dry matter, substrate concentration, yield, specific oxygen uptake, specific carbon dioxide release and respiration quotient were examined as a function of the dilution rate. The morphology depended on the carbon source. Maltose produced a mycelial morphology, whereas with lactate a yeast culture was obtained. With fructose or glucose as a carbon source a mixed morphology of yeast, pseudo-mycelial and mycelial forms was produced. A larger number of different growth conditions were examined in batch culture but a mixed morphology was always obtained.     

A review of anaerobic digestion bio-kinetics

Anaerobic digestion is the key to sustainable wastewater management and bioenergy production. Kinetics plays an important role in the design of bioreactors, processes, and process scale-up in anaerobic digestion. This article focuses on a state-of-the-art literature review on the experimental kinetic studies of conventional anaerobic bioreactors and anaerobic membrane bioreactors. Various kinetic models that were used to fit the experimental data and derive the kinetic parameters are summarized and discussed in the literature. The values of the maximum specific growth rate µ_max, half saturation constant K_s, decay co-efficient k_d, sludge yield Y, and methane yield Y_CH4 from experimental studies are summarized for each model. This paper can serve as an updated comprehensive source of anaerobic bio-kinetic studies and digester design.     

Growth kinetics of Pseudomonas alcaligenes C-0 relative to inoculation and 3-chlorobenzoate metabolism in soil.

Pseudomonas alcaligenes C-0 was isolated from activated sewage sludge by enrichment with 3-chlorobenzoate (3CB) as the sole carbon source. The carbon balance from [14C]3CB in pure culture could be accounted for in substrate, biomass, and CO2 from all sampling periods and inoculum densities (0.012, 0.092, 0.20, and 0.92 micrograms of dry cells X ml-1), and inorganic chloride was produced stoichiometrically. Monod parameters as determined in culture were compared with the kinetics of 3CB metabolism in soil with decreasing inoculum densities (1.9 X 10(-1), 1.9 X 10(-3), and 1.9 X 10(-5) micrograms of cells X g-1). 3CB was refractile to attack in soil by indigenous microflora, but it was completely metabolized upon inoculation with P. alcaligenes C-0. The saturation constant KS was much higher in soil than in culture, but the yield coefficient Y and the growth rate constant were the same in both systems: mu max = 0.32 h-1; Y = 34 micrograms cells X mumol-1; KS = 0.18 mM in culture and 6.0 mM in soil solution (1.1 mumol X g-1 of soil). The parameter estimates obtained from the highest inoculum density could be used for the lower inoculum densities with reasonable agreement between predicted and observed 3CB concentrations in soil, although the residual sum of squares was progressively higher. Since the growth rate of P. alcaligenes C-0 in soil was comparable to its growth rate in culture, inoculation should be a viable strategy for biodegradation of 3CB in soil if indigenous microflora are unable to exploit this metabolic niche.     

Studies of the Utilization of Coconut Water Waste for the Production of the Food Yeast Saccharomyces fragilis

The accepted food yeast Saccharomyces fragilis was grown in batch and chemostat culture on coconut water and on a simulated coconut-water medium containing glucose, fructose, sucrose and sorbitol, to provide kinetic data for a feasibility study of microbial protein production. Analyses of growth on individual and mixed carbon substrates were made to determine sugar assimilation patterns in batch and chemostat cultures on coconut water. Growth on the polyol produced a much reduced specific growth rate, assimilation rate, growth yield and productivity compared to growth on the sugars. In mixed substrate fermentations a sequential utilization of the carbohydrates occurred. Both the monosaccharides repressed invertase synthesis and all three sugars repressed sorbitol assimilation. Complete carbon assimilation was only obtained by prolonged batch fermentation or in chemostat cultures at low dilution rates (<0.10 h^-1). Supplementation of coconut water with biotin and nicotinic acid increased biomass yields in chemostat cultures.     

Growth kinetics of Pseudomonas alcaligenes C-0 relative to inoculation and 3-chlorobenzoate metabolism in soil

Pseudomonas alcaligenes C-0 was isolated from activated sewage sludge by enrichment with 3-chlorobenzoate (3CB) as the sole carbon source. The carbon balance from [14C]3CB in pure culture could be accounted for in substrate, biomass, and CO2 from all sampling periods and inoculum densities (0.012, 0.092, 0.20, and 0.92 micrograms of dry cells X ml-1), and inorganic chloride was produced stoichiometrically. Monod parameters as determined in culture were compared with the kinetics of 3CB metabolism in soil with decreasing inoculum densities (1.9 X 10(-1), 1.9 X 10(-3), and 1.9 X 10(-5) micrograms of cells X g-1). 3CB was refractile to attack in soil by indigenous microflora, but it was completely metabolized upon inoculation with P. alcaligenes C-0. The saturation constant KS was much higher in soil than in culture, but the yield coefficient Y and the growth rate constant were the same in both systems: mu max = 0.32 h-1; Y = 34 micrograms cells X mumol-1; KS = 0.18 mM in culture and 6.0 mM in soil solution (1.1 mumol X g-1 of soil). The parameter estimates obtained from the highest inoculum density could be used for the lower inoculum densities with reasonable agreement between predicted and observed 3CB concentrations in soil, although the residual sum of squares was progressively higher. Since the growth rate of P. alcaligenes C-0 in soil was comparable to its growth rate in culture, inoculation should be a viable strategy for biodegradation of 3CB in soil if indigenous microflora are unable to exploit this metabolic niche.     

Effect of 3,3',4',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide on reduction of excess sludge and nitrogen removal in biological wastewater treatment process

A metabolic uncoupler, 3,3',4',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS), was used to reduce excess sludge production in biological wastewater treatment processes. Batch experiments confirmed that 0.4 mg/l of TCS reduced the aerobic growth yield of activated sludge by over 60%. However, the growth yield remained virtually constant even at the increased concentrations of TCS when cultivations were carried out under the anoxic condition. Reduction of sludge production yield was confirmed in a laboratory-scale anoxic-oxic process operated for 6 months. However, it was found that ammonia oxidation efficiency was reduced by as much as 77% in the presence of 0.8 mg/l of TCS in the batch culture. Similar results were also obtained through batch inhibition tests with activated sludges and by bioluminescence assays using a recombinant Nitrosomonas europaea (pMJ217). Because of this inhibitory effect of TCS on nitrification, the TCS-fed continuous system failed to remove ammonia in the influent. When TCS feeding was stopped, the nitrification yield of the process was resumed. Therefore, it seems to be necessary to assess the nitrogen content of wastewater if TCS is used for reducing sludge generation.