Simultaneous removal of nitrogen and phosphorus by aerobic denitrifying Paracoccus versutus JUST-3

Strain JUST-3, exhibiting high-efficiency simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal under aerobic conditions, was isolated and identified as Paracoccus versutus based on 16S rDNA gene sequencing and comprehensive physiological and biochemical analysis. The strain demonstrated optimal performance when cultured with sodium acetate as carbon source under the following conditions: C/N ratio of 10, P/N ratio of 0.2, 35 °C, and pH of 8.0. The variations in intermediate metabolites, the activity of functional enzymes, and the nitrogen/phosphorus balance experiments elucidated the pathways in nitrogen and phosphorus removal under aerobic conditions. Exogenous signal molecules (＜50 nmol/L) could promote growth, enhance aerobic denitrification, and improve simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus performance. The identification of signaling molecules represents a significant breakthrough, revealing novel regulatory mechanisms in microbial quorum-sensing systems and enabling precise control of microbial community behaviors. This study expands the application of aerobic denitrification and phosphorus removal technology, laying the foundation for wastewater treatment.