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Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in microbial community-based polyhydroxyalkanoate production.

Ángel Estévez-Alonso1, Mark C M van Loosdrecht2, Robbert Kleerebezem2

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands; Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

Bioresource Technology
|June 27, 2021
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Summary

Optimizing dissolved oxygen (DO) in microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production reduces nitrification by 70% and oxygen demand by 18%. This strategy exploits nitrate for PHA synthesis, enhancing industrial viability.

Keywords:
Dissolved oxygenNitrificationPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND)Waste activated sludge

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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Bioprocess Engineering

Background:

  • Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production is established at pilot scale using microbial communities.
  • Ammonium in waste streams can be oxidized by nitrifying bacteria, increasing aeration energy demands.
  • Nitrification control is crucial for efficient PHA production from waste streams.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of low dissolved oxygen (DO) on nitrification and PHA production.
  • To determine optimal DO concentrations for mitigating nitrification while sustaining PHA synthesis.
  • To assess the potential for reducing energy demands in industrial PHA production.

Main Methods:

  • Controlled experiments varying dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations.
  • Monitoring of nitrification rates and PHA accumulation.
  • Quantification of nitrate utilization as an electron acceptor for PHA production.
  • Estimation of oxygen demand reduction under optimized DO conditions.

Main Results:

  • Low DO concentrations reduced nitrification rates by up to 70%.
  • Nitrate was utilized as an alternative electron acceptor for PHA production at lower DO levels.
  • An optimal DO concentration of 0.9 mgO2/L was identified.
  • PHA production rates were maintained by exploiting nitrification to supply nitrate.
  • Oxygen demand for PHA accumulation was reduced by an estimated 18%.

Conclusions:

  • Controlling DO is essential for managing nitrification in microbial PHA production.
  • Exploiting nitrification via DO control can sustain PHA production rates and reduce energy costs.
  • This study provides insights for the industrial application of microbial PHA production by managing nitrifying bacteria.