title: Degradation of azo dye acid orange 7 in a membrane bioreactor by pellets and attached growth of Coriolus versicolour.
abstract: The aim of this study was to systematically compare the degradation of azo dye acid orange 7 by spongy pellets and attached biofilm of Coriolus versicolour (NBRC 9791) in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) under non-sterile conditions. Mild stirring (35 rpm) resulted in spherical (φ=0.5 cm), spongy pellets and concomitantly triggered high enzymatic activity of the fungus, allowing for excellent decolouration (>99%) of a synthetic wastewater containing the dye. However, bacterial contamination eventually damaged the fungus pellets, leading to decreased decolouration efficiency. Promotion of attached growth on a plastic support along with formation of spherical spongy pellets allowed maintenance of high enzymatic activity and decolouration/degradation for an extended period. Hydraulic retention time (HRT) could influence the level of enzymatic activity and decolouration; however, even at the shortest HRT (1 day) examined, the MBR could accomplish >95% decolouration.
authors.affiliation: Strategic Water Infrastructure Laboratory, School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia. faisal@uow.edu.au
authors.forename: Faisal I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Hai
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Fumiyuki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: Kensuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukushi
authors.forename: Long D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Nghiem
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018441:Biofilms; D019149:Bioreactors; D003116:Color; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D008567:Membranes, Artificial