Rhodovulum sulfidophilum in the treatment and utilization of sardine processing wastewater.
OBJECTIVE
Rhodovulum sulfidophilum was grown in settled undiluted and nonsterilized sardine processing wastewater (SPW). The aims were to evaluate the effects of inoculum size and media on the biomass production with simultaneous reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD).


RESULTS
Three levels of inoculum size (10, 20 and 30% v/v) developed in glutamate-malate media (GMM) or settled and undiluted SPW were compared. The highest biomass (4.8 g l-1) was obtained after 96-h culture with 20% (v/v) inoculum size, but the reduction in COD of SPW was the highest (85%) after 120-h culture with a 30% (v/v) inoculum developed in GMM. In cultures with inoculum developed in SPW the COD reduction in SPW was 79-83%.


CONCLUSIONS
Inoculum developed in GMM supported good growth of Rv. sulfidophilum in settled undiluted SPW and subsequent reduction in COD. A conceptual model was proposed for the treatment and utilization of SPW.
Azad
S A
SA
Institute of Post-graduate Studies Institute of Biological Sciences Chemical Engineering Department, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Vikineswary
S
S
Chong
V C
VC
Ramachandran
K B
KB
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D019649:Food Industry; D007220:Industrial Waste; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D041903:Rhodovulum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014876:Water Pollution; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D003470:Culture Media; D007220:Industrial Waste