Title: Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production potential of activated sludge from food industrial wastewater treatment process

Authors: Sirilak Buathong; Chart Chiemchaisri; Wilai Chiemchaisri; Hiroyasu Satoh

Addresses: Department of Environmental Engineering/Center of Advanced Studies in Industrial Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand ' Department of Environmental Engineering/Center of Advanced Studies in Industrial Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand ' Department of Environmental Engineering/Center of Advanced Studies in Industrial Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand ' Institute of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8561, Japan

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production by activated sludge treating food industrial wastewaters was evaluated. Influence of wastewater characteristics on PHA production activities of non-acclimatised and acclimatised sludge were determined. Acetate, glucose and butyrate were used for evaluating PHA production potential of sludge at different concentrations of 400, 800 and 1,200 mgC/l during 12 hours batch experiments under anaerobic or aerobic conditions. PHA production and accumulation in non-acclimatised sludge were 0.978 g/l (48.9% of dry sludge weight) 0.477 g/l (25.6%) and 0.696 g/l (34.8%) when using acetate, glucose and butyrate as substrate. The production of PHA was found higher under aerobic condition.

Keywords: activated sludge; biodegradable plastic; food processing wastewater; polyhydroxyalkanoate; PHA production; sludge acclimatisation; sludge utilisation; wastewater treatment; acetate; glucose; butyrate.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2012.050795

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2012 Vol.4 No.3/4, pp.210 - 219

Published online: 31 Dec 2014 *

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