Article Abstract:
Three methanogenic enrichment cultures that degrade ortho-phthalate, isophthalate or terephthalate isomers have been studied. The cultures have been isolated from digested sewage sludge or methanogenic granular sludge. The isomers are anthropogenic compounds used in the manufacture of various plastics products. The cultures grown on one of the phthalate isomers cannot degrade the two other isomer types but all three cultures can breakdown benzoate. A kinetic model has been formulated to estimate the intermediate acetate and hydrogen accumulation and the final production of methane in the three microbial species.
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Article Abstract:
The role of benzoate and acetate in the anaerobic degradation of terephthalate by a methanogenic enrichment culture has been studied. The importance of acetate in the breakdown of benzoate has also been investigated. Purified terephthalic acid is one of the top 50 chemicals produced worldwide and is used in making polyethylene terephthalate bottles, polyester films and textile fibers. The culture has been enriched with terephthalate and could degrade benzoate without a lag phase. Results indicated that both benzoate and acetate inhibited the degradation of terephthalate.
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Article Abstract:
A study was conducted to determine the effects of adding nickel and cobalt to methylotrophic-metanogenic biomass. Using on-line CH4 monitoring, it was observed that nickel and cobalt introduction hastens the increase in initial exponential and final arithmetic rates of methane production while curtailing temporary decrease in the rate. It was also noted that the continuous addition of nickel and cobalt facilitated the elimination of the temporary decrease stage, and thus, accelerating exponential production rate.
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