Abstract
Bulking and foaming in activated sludge have been associated with filamentous overgrowth. FilamentousNocardia amarae and nonfilamentousPseudomonas auruginosa were cultured using fatty acids (C2–C24) as the sole carbon.N. amarae could utilize all acids tested for growth, whereasP. auruginosa hardly grew on acids with 12 or more carbons. Maximum specific growth rate and saturation constant ofN. amarae on C24, at 0.048 h−1 and 1.520 g COD/L, respectively, were much lower than that ofP. auruginosa, showing thatN. amarae had a relatively stronger affinity for long-chain fatty acids.N. amarae was competitive in activated sludge processes that receive sewage containing a high proportion of long-chain fatty acids, oils, and fats.
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Chua, H., Tan, K.N. & Cheung, M.W.L. Filamentous growth in activated sludge. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 57, 851–856 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02941765
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02941765