Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Medium Preparation for the Cultivation of Microorganisms under Strictly Anaerobic/Anoxic Conditions
Published on: August 15, 2019
Volatile fatty acid production dynamics during the acidification of pretreated olive mill wastewater
Canan Can Yarimtepe1, Nilgün Ayman Oz2, Orhan Ince3
1Istanbul Technical University, Department of Environmental Engineering, 34469, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey; Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Department of Environmental Engineering, 17100 Çanakkale, Turkey.
Abstract:
This study focuses on the dynamics of VFA production from pretreated olive mill wastewater (OMW). Acidogenic anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (AcASBR) were operated with the pretreated OMW at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2days and pH of 5,5 for different organic loading rates (OLRs) ranging from 5gCOD/L.d to 40gCOD/L.d. VFA production reached to the highest value of about 27,000mg/L with the increase in the organic load applied (20gCOD/L.d). The highest acidification rate was calculated as 68%. Acetic acid was found to be as the dominant VFA compound for all stage of the study. At steady state, VFA production during a day-cycle period (24th hour) in AcASBR is also monitored, VFA production gradually increased after the 3rd and 6th hours (about 20%) and a rapid increase (about 40%) was observed reaching the maximum at the end of the cycle (24th hour).
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Fates of Pyruvate
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Overview
Lipid Catabolism
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism

