Rapid establishment of p-nitrophenol biodegradation in acetate-fed aerobic granular sludge

Venkata Nancharaiah Yarlagadda*, Renu Kadali, Naresh Sharma, Raju Sekar, Venugopalan Vayalam Purath

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the acclimation of precultivated acetatefed aerobic granular sludge to a toxic xenobiotic biodegradation. Establishment of p-nitrophenol (PNP) biodegradation in acetate-fed aerobic granular sludge and concomitant changes in the microstructure and bacterial community were determined. Rapid establishment of PNP utilization was observed in the granular sludge when fed with PNP as the sole carbon source. The specific PNP removal was 36-mg h -1 g -1 granular biomass at an initial PNP concentration of 50 mg L -1. The presence of PNP resulted in significant membrane damage in a subpopulation of the bacterial consortium, as shown by BacLight viability staining. This was coincided with a significant decrease in the culturable bacterial diversity of the granular biomass. PCR-DGGE analysis revealed a shift and decrease in number of bands during the establishment of PNP biodegradation. Scanning electron microscopy showed the dominance of rod-shaped bacteria in the PNP-utilizing microbial granules. Our results suggest that acetate-fed granular sludge could be quickly adapted for PNP biodegradation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1225-1235
Number of pages11
JournalApplied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Volume166
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2012

Keywords

  • Aerobic granular sludge
  • Aerobic granules
  • Biodegradation
  • p-nitrophenol

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