Abstract.
The effect of inoculum size on the acclimation period and rate and extent of p-nitrophenol (PNP) degradation at high (1–10 mg/L) and low (26 μg/L) concentrations for two bacteria was determined in defined media as well as industrial wastewater. Increased inoculum size did not affect the acclimation period of either bacterium at high (1–10 mg/L) PNP concentrations. At low PNP concentrations (26 μg/L), the two bacteria behaved differently. The acclimation period was shortened and both the rate and extent of mineralization of PNP were enhanced by increasing the Corynebacterium sp. inoculum size from 3 × 105 to 3 × 106 cells/ml. Addition of phosphate or elimination of predators also reduced the acclimation period. Conversely, increasing the inoculum size from 3 × 105 to 5 × 106 cells/ml of Pseudomonas putida lengthened the acclimation period and reduced both the rate and extent of mineralization. It is suggested that, in a given environment, the success of an introduced species to enhance the degradation of a chemical depends upon (i) concentration of the chemical, (ii) selection of an appropriate microorganism, and (iii) utilization of a suitable inoculum size.
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Received: 1 April 1996 / Accepted: 6 May 1996
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Zaidi, B., Imam, S. & Greene, R. Accelerated Biodegradation of High and Low Concentrations of p-Nitrophenol (PNP) by Bacterial Inoculation in Industrial Wastewater: The Role of Inoculum Size on Acclimation Period. Curr Microbiol 33, 292–296 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002849900116
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002849900116