title: Initial-rate based method for estimating the maximum heterotrophic growth rate parameter (μHmax).
abstract: Currently, the method most used for measuring the maximum specific growth rate (μ(Hmax)) of heterotrophic biomass is by respirometry, using growth batch tests performed at high food/microorganism ratio. No other technique has been suggested, although the former approach was criticized for providing kinetic constants that could be unrepresentative of the original biomass. An alternative method (seed-increments) is proposed, which relies on measuring the initial rates of respiration (r(O2)(_ini)) at different seeding levels, in a single batch, and in the presence of excess readily biodegradable substrate (S(S)). The ASM1-based underlying equations were developed, which showed that μ(Hmax) could be estimated through the slope of the linear function of r(O2)(_ini)·(V(WW)+v(ML)) vs v(ML) (volume of mixed liquor inoculum); V(WW) represent the wastewater volume added. The procedure was tested, being easy to apply; the postulated linearity was constantly observed and the method is claimed to measure the characteristics of the biomass of interest.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico-CIRA, Apdo postal 367, Toluca, CP 50091, Estado de Mexico, Mexico. c-fa-ll@hotmail.com
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fall
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hooijmans
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esparza-Soto
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Olguin
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bâ
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D052836:Heterotrophic Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D007700:Kinetics; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage; D010100:Oxygen