[Mineralization activity of microorganisms in refuse from medical consulting rooms and in municipal refuse]

Mineralization activity of microorganisms in refuse from consulting rooms of general practitioners, E.T.N.-specialists, dermatologists, dentists, veterinarians, and in municipal refuse was estimated by means of CO2 and NH3 measurement. In comparison to municipal refuse, the refuse from medical consulting rooms released only low amounts of CO2 and NH3. Only in refuse from the veterinarians consulting rooms relative high mineralization was found, due to specific consistency (fecal contamination) of those refuse. A slight enrichment in pepton of all refuse under test resulted in a strong enhancement of the CO2 and NH3 evolution. That effect indicates either high potential mineralization activity of microorganisms in the refuse from medical consulting rooms and their relative resistance to microbial degradation.