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The use of polyurethane foam for microbial retention in methanogenic fermentation of propionate

  • Environmental Microbiology
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Summary

The use of polyurethane foam (PUF) as a microbial support carrier was evaluated with a mesophilic propionate-acclimatized sludge. The acclimatized sludge could be immobilized rapidly and stably in PUF of smaller pore size under shaking conditions. The sludge retained in PUF could maintain a high propionate metabolic activity for a long period. High conversion rates of propionate to methane of 23–65 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)·1−1 · day−1 could be achieved in reactors packed with PUF-retained sludge. A dense sludge of 0.08–0.25 g mixed-liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS)·cm−3 was retained in PUF. Microscopic analysis suggested that filamentous microorganisms, e.g., Methanothrix spp. could play an important role in the efficient retention of acclimatized sludge in PUF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fermentation Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Hiroshima University, Saijo-cho, 724, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan

    Satoshi Fukuzaki, Naomichi Nishio & Shiro Nagai

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  1. Satoshi Fukuzaki
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  2. Naomichi Nishio
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  3. Shiro Nagai
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Offprint requests to: Shiro Nagai

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Fukuzaki, S., Nishio, N. & Nagai, S. The use of polyurethane foam for microbial retention in methanogenic fermentation of propionate. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 34, 408–413 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00170070

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00170070

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