Survival of Salmonella spp. in a simulated acid-phase anaerobic digester treating sewage sludge
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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Continuously-stirred Anaerobic Digester to Convert Organic Wastes into Biogas: System Setup and Basic Operation
Published on: July 13, 2012
K Fukushi1, S Babel, S Burakrai
1Environmental Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. fukushi@esc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Abstract:
The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in municipal waste sludge may create a serious outbreak of water borne diseases if the sludge is used for agricultural purpose. An attempt to decrease the number of pathogenic microorganisms, Salmonella spp. using a simulated acid-phase anaerobic digester was tested in a laboratory-scale batch experiment. Reduction of Salmonella spp. was demonstrated in a mixture of sludge and organic acid, simulating an acid digester of a two-phase anaerobic digestion process. A high concentration of organic acid at a pH value of 5.5-6.0 prevents a decrease in Salmonella spp. concentration. Almost complete destruction of Salmonella spp. is observed within two days if the pH value is maintained below 5.5.
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