Breakdown of food waste by anaerobic fermentation and non-oxygen producing photosynthesis using a photosynthetic bacterium. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mekjinda, N.; Ritchie, R.J.
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 35(2015)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Rhodopseudomonas palustris -- Photosynthetic bacteria -- Food waste -- Photosynthesis -- Hydrogen; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2014.10.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Highlights: The photobacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris easily broke down food waste. R. palustris reduced BOD by ≈70% and COD by ≈33%. Starch, ammonia, nitrate, were removed in a 7-day incubation. Little removal of reducing sugar or the total phosphorus, lipid, protein, total solids. R. palustris produced a maximum of 80 ml H2 /g COD/day during a 7-day incubation. Abstract: Large volumes of food waste are produced by restaurants, hotels, etc generating problems in its collection, processing and disposal. Disposal as garbage increases the organic matter in landfills and leachates. The photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris (CGA 009) easily broke down food waste. R. palustris produces H2 under anaerobic conditions and digests a very wide range of organic compounds. R. palustris reduced BOD by ≈70% and COD by ≈33%, starch, ammonia, nitrate, was removed but had little effect on reducing sugar or the total phosphorus, lipid, protein, total solid in a 7-day incubation. R. palustris produced a maximum of 80 ml H2 /g COD/day. A two-stage anaerobic digestion using yeast as the first stage, followed by a R. palustris digestion was tested but production of H2 was low.