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Optimization of Compatible Mixed Cultures for Liquid State Bioconversion of Municipal Wastewater Sludge

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Abstract

The filamentous fungal strains such as Penicillium corylophilum (P), Aspergillus niger (A), Trichoderma harzianum (T) and Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PC) isolated from its relevant sources (wastewater, sewage sludge and sludge cake) were selected for compatible/incompatible mixed cultures. Six combinations of P. corylophilum and A. niger (P/A); P. corylophilum and P. chrysosporium (P/PC); P. corylophilum and T. harzianum (P/T); A. niger and T. harzianum (A/T); A. niger and P. chrysosporium (A/PC); T. harzianum and P. chrysosporium (T/PC) were used to evaluate their potential performance as compatible/incompatible mixed culture for the treatment of municipal wastewater sludge in a bioconversion process. The results of the present study showed that the combinations of P/A, P/PC and A/PC showed compatible growth and the rest of the combinations (P/T, A/T and T/PC) were incompatible cultures. A maximum production of dry biomass and dry filter cake were recorded in the compatible mixed culture of P. corylophilum and A. niger (P/A). A maximum reduction of COD (90%) and a decreased filtration time of treated sludge was observed in the case of P/A microbial mixed culture. The pH value was also affected by the fungal cultures. Effective results were observed by using microbial mixed culture after four days of treatment compared to other treatments (2 and 6 days).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (author for correspondence

    Md. Zahangir Alam, A. Fakhru'l-Razi & Abul H. Molla

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Food Science & Biotechnology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor DE, Malaysia

    Suraini Abd-Aziz

Authors
  1. Md. Zahangir Alam
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  2. A. Fakhru'l-Razi
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  3. Suraini Abd-Aziz
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  4. Abul H. Molla
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Correspondence to Md. Zahangir Alam.

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Alam, M.Z., Fakhru'l-Razi, A., Abd-Aziz, S. et al. Optimization of Compatible Mixed Cultures for Liquid State Bioconversion of Municipal Wastewater Sludge. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 149, 113–126 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025686113945

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