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Effect of polyphosphate limitation on the anaerobic metabolism of phosphorus-accumulating microorganisms

Effect of polyphosphate limitation on the anaerobic metabolism of phosphorus-accumulating microorganisms

Authors :
Damir Brdjanovic
J. J. Heijnen
M.C.M. van Loosdrecht
T. Mino
Christine M. Hooijmans
G. J. Alaerts
Source :
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 50:273-276
Publication Year :
1998
Publisher :
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 1998.

Abstract

There are two types of microbial populations described in the literature as being capable of anaerobic storage of acetic acid in activated-sludge processes: the polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) and the glycogen-accumulating non-polyphosphate organisms (GAO). Both groups use the conversion of glycogen to poly-hydroxyalkanoate to produce ATP and NADH; however, the first group can also produce ATP from polyphosphate (poly-P). No representative pure cultures are available from either group. The question arises: is the observed activity of GAO due to PAO that are depleted in poly-P ? In this study, using a laboratory sequencing batch reactor containing an enriched culture, the ability of the enriched PAO to utilize organic substrate (acetate) anaerobically was investigated under conditions of poly-P limitation and surplus glycogen content of the biomass. This study showed clearly that, under these conditions, almost no acetate was taken up. Furthermore, this strongly suggests that PAO can not use glycogen conversion to poly-hydroxyalkanoate as the sole energy source under anaerobic conditions, which seems to be the restricted to a separate group of GAO. On the basis of the results and literature data, an improved scheme for the anaerobic acetate accumulation is presented.

Details

ISSN :
14320614 and 01757598
Volume :
50
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........df3ad5935dd67a21e92a172f64ad256e
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530051289