title: Biodegradation of olive mill wastewater by Trichosporon cutaneum and Geotrichum candidum.
abstract: Olive oil production generates large volumes of wastewater. These wastewaters are characterised by high chemical oxygen demand (COD), high content of microbial growth-inhibiting compounds such as phenolic compounds and tannins, and dark colour. The aim of this study was to investigate biodegradation of olive mill wastewater (OMW) by yeasts Trichosporon cutaneum and Geotrichum candidum. The yeast Trichosporon cutaneum was used because it has a high potential to biodegrade phenolic compounds and a wide range of toxic compounds. The yeast Geotrichum candidum was used to see how successful it is in biodegrading compounds that give the dark colour to the wastewater. Under aerobic conditions, Trichosporon cutaneum removed 88 % of COD and 64 % of phenolic compounds, while the dark colour remained. Geotrichum candidum grown in static conditions reduced COD and colour further by 77 % and 47 %, respectively. This investigation has shown that Trichosporon cutaneum under aerobic conditions and Geotrichum candidum under facultative anaerobic conditions could be used successfully in a two-step biodegradation process. Further investigation of OMW treatment by selected yeasts should contribute to better understanding of biodegradation and decolourisation and should include ecotoxicological evaluation of the treated OMW.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierotti Str. 6, Zagreb, Croatia. tdragic@pf.hr
authors.forename: Tibela Landeka
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Sollner Dragičević
authors.forename: Marijana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zanoški Hren
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gmajnić
authors.forename: Sanja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pelko
authors.forename: Dzoko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kungulovski
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kungulovski
authors.forename: Domagoj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cvek
authors.forename: Jadranka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frece
authors.forename: Ksenija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Markov
authors.forename: Frane
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Delaš
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019649:Food Industry; D005848:Geotrichum / Q000378:metabolism; D007220:Industrial Waste; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D014250:Trichosporon / Q000378:metabolism; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils