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Atypical polyphosphate accumulation by the denitrifying bacterium Paracoccus denitrificans
1Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|March 4, 2000
Summary
Paracoccus denitrificans accumulates polyphosphate under aerobic and anoxic conditions, facilitating combined phosphate and nitrate removal. This capability is widespread among denitrifiers, simplifying wastewater treatment processes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Polyphosphate accumulation is crucial for phosphate removal in wastewater treatment.
- Denitrifying bacteria play a key role in nitrogen removal.
- Understanding the metabolic capabilities of denitrifiers for nutrient removal is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate polyphosphate accumulation in Paracoccus denitrificans under various conditions.
- To assess the potential of P. denitrificans for combined phosphate and nitrate removal.
- To determine the prevalence of polyphosphate accumulation among denitrifying bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Paracoccus denitrificans under aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions.
- Measuring polyphosphate and poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthesis.
- Analyzing metabolic activity in the presence and absence of external carbon sources.
Main Results:
- P. denitrificans synthesized polyphosphate with oxygen or nitrate as electron acceptors, requiring an external carbon source.
- No polyphosphate was produced in PHB-rich cells under anoxic conditions without a carbon source.
- P. denitrificans demonstrated combined phosphate and nitrate removal without alternating oxygen/anoxic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Paracoccus denitrificans can perform combined phosphate and nitrate removal, simplifying wastewater treatment.
- Polyphosphate accumulation is a common trait among denitrifying bacteria.
- This finding has significant implications for optimizing biological nutrient removal in wastewater treatment systems.