Microbial diversity in a thermophilic aerobic biofilm process: analysis by length heterogeneity PCR (LH-PCR)

A two-stage pilot-scale thermophilic aerobic suspended carrier biofilm process (SCBP) was set up for the on-site treatment of pulp and paper mill whitewater lining. The microbial diversity in this process was analyzed by length heterogeneity analysis of PCR-amplified 16S ribosomal DNA. The primer pair selected for PCR amplification was first evaluated by a computational analysis of fragment lengths in ten main phylogenetical eubacterial groups. The fragment contained the first third of the 16S rRNA gene, which was shown to vary naturally between 465 and 563 bp in length. The length heterogeneity analysis of polymerase chain reaction (LH-PCR) profile of the biomass attached to carrier elements was found to be diverse in both stages of the SCBP. During normal operating conditions, sequences belonging to beta-Proteobacteria, Cytophaga/Flexibacter/Bacteroides group and gamma-Proteobacteria were assigned to the most prominent LH-PCR peak. Samples from the suspended biomass consisted of completely different bacterial populations, which were, however, similar in the serial reactors. The pilot process experienced alkaline shocks, after which Bacillus-like sequences were detected in both the biofilm and suspended biomass. However, when the conditions were reversed, the normal microbial population in the biofilm recovered rapidly without further biomass inoculations. This study shows that LH-PCR is a valuable method for profiling microbial diversity and dynamics in industrial wastewater processes.     

Optimization of the hydrolytic-acidogenic anaerobic digestion stage (55 degrees C) of sewage sludge: influence of pH and solid content

In conventional single-stage anaerobic digestion processes, hydrolysis is regarded as the rate-limiting step in the degradation of complex organic compounds, such as sewage sludge. Two-stage systems have been proposed to enhance this process. However, so far it is not clear which are the best conditions for a two-stage anaerobic digestion process of sewage sludge, in terms of temperature and hydraulic retention time of each stage. The aim of this work was to determine the optimal conditions for the hydrolytic-acidogenic stage treating real sludge with a high concentration of total solids (40-50gL(-1)) and volatile solids (25-30gL(-1)), named high concentration sludge. The variables considered for this first stage were: hydraulic retention time (1-4 days) and temperature (55 and 65 degrees C). Maximum volatile fatty acids generation was obtained at 4 days and 3 days hydraulic retention time for 55 degrees C and 65 degrees C, respectively. Consequently, 4 days hydraulic retention time and temperature of 55 degrees C were set as the working conditions for the hydrolytic-acidogenic stage treating high concentration sludge. The results obtained when operating with high concentration sludge were compared with a low concentration sludge consisting of 17-28gL(-1) total solids and 13-21gL(-1) volatile solids. The effect of decreasing the influent sludge pH, when working at the optimal conditions established, was also evaluated.     

嗜热菌在微生物采油中的应用

研究了3株嗜热菌（GW1,GW2,GW5）在微生物采油（MEOR）的应用价值。结果表明,3株菌的最适生长温度为55-65℃,最适生长pH值在7.0-8.0,最适生长含盐质量浓度在5 000-20 000 mg/L。3株嗜热菌对两种油田药剂抗性的考察结果表明,磺酸盐助排剂和发泡剂对GW1的生长有抑制作用,发泡剂对GW2有抑制作用,磺酸盐助排剂对GW5有抑制作用。3种嗜热菌可以将原油中较重的组分降解为轻质组分,增加原油的流动性。经鉴定3株嗜热菌GW1,GW2和GW5均为Geobacillus属。     

耐热芽孢杆菌XJT9503高温中性蛋白酶的中试发酵工艺

对耐热芽孢杆菌(Thermophilicbacillus)XJT9503保藏、菌种活化、种子培养基和发酵培养基及7,25,250,3000L发酵罐的中试发酵工艺参数进行了研究,确定了耐热芽孢杆菌XJT9503高温中性蛋白酶的中试发酵工艺.在3000L发酵罐上控制罐温为46℃、转速180r/min、通气量4L/(L·min),培养18h后发酵酶活最高达13240U/mL.