Genetic and chemical analyzes of transformations in compost compounds during biodegradation of oiled bleaching earth with waste sludge

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2012-06, Vol.114, p.75-83
• Main Authors: Piotrowska-Cyplik, Agnieszka, Cyplik, Paweł, Marecik, Roman, Czarny, Jakub, Szymański, Andrzej, Wyrwas, Bogdan, Framski, Grzegorz, Chrzanowski, Łukasz, Materna, Katarzyna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodegradation, Environmental; Composting; Fatty acids biodegradation; Industrial Waste - prevention & control; Microbial Consortia - genetics; Oiled bleaching earth; Oils - chemistry; Oils - metabolism; Sewage - microbiology; Soil Microbiology; Surface Tension; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; Surface-Active Agents - metabolism; Zea mays - microbiology
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.02.137

► Paper sheds light on the behavior of microorganisms in degradation of fats waste. ► The main finding is that a consortium of degraders remains unstable in composting. ► Biodegradation is involved by emulsifying properties of higher fatty acids. ► Microorganisms did not synthesis of surfactants in natural conditions. Composting of oiled bleaching earth with waste sludge and corn straw was carried out to investigate the ability of microorganisms to synthesize biosurfactants that might decrease the surface tension of composts. Analytical results and changes in the surface tension suggest that biodegradation of fatty by-products was the consequence of emulsifying properties of higher fatty acids. The surface tension for isolates from all composting phases was between 37 and 43mNm–1. No substances synthesized by microorganisms that might be able to decrease the surface tension were detected in composts. Tensammetric, TLC and HPLC-MS results and changes in surface tension suggest that biodegradation of fatty by-products results from the emulsifying properties of higher fatty acids. A decrease in fatty content from 144 to 6mgg–1 dry matter was obtained.