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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
Performance evaluation of Malathion biodegradation in batch and continuous packed bed bioreactor (PBBR)
S R Geed1, M K Kureel1, B S Giri1
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221 005, India.
Abstract:
The aim of this work was to study the biodegradation of Malathion in batch and continuous packed bed (Polyurethane foam; PUF) bioreactor (PBBR). After 10days, 89% Malathion removal was observed in batch PBBR. Continuous PBBR was operated at various flow rates (5-30mL/h) under optimum condition over a period of 75days. Inlet loading rates and elimination capacities were observed in the range of 36-216 and 7.20-145.4mg/L/day with an average removal efficiency of more than 90% under steady state conditions. GC/MS analysis confirms phosphorodithionicacid,O,O,S-trimethylester and diethylmercaptosuccinate as metabolites. Biodegradation of Malathion under inhibitory and non-inhibitory conditions was studied using Monod and Andrew-Haldane models and the kinetic constants were calculated and found to be μmax: 0.271 per day; Ks: 126.3mg/L using Monod and μmax: 0.315 per day; Ks: 151.32mg/L; Ki: 594.75mg/L using Andrew-Haldane models.
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