Efficacy of Aspergillus sp. for Degradation of Chlorpyrifos in Batch and Continuous Aerated Packed Bed Bioreactors

• Published in: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology 2015-01, Vol.175 (1), p.16-24
• Main Authors: Yadav, Maya, Srivastva, Navnita, Shukla, Awadhesh Kumar, Singh, Ram Sharan, Upadhyay, Siddh Nath, Dubey, Suresh Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerobic biodegradation; Aerobiosis; Aspergillus; Aspergillus - metabolism; Bacteria; Biochemistry; Biodegradable materials; biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chlorpyrifos; Chlorpyrifos - metabolism; Flow rates; foams; inoculum; Insecticides; Membrane reactors; Pesticides; Plug flow; polyurethanes; Temperature
• ISSN: 0273-2289; 1559-0291
• DOI: 10.1007/s12010-014-1244-0

Aerobic biodegradation of chlorpyrifos (CP) by Aspergillus sp. was investigated in batch and continuous packed bed bioreactors. The optimal process parameters for achieving the maximum removal efficiency (RE), determined using a batch bioreactor packed with polyurethane foam pieces, were inoculum level: 2.5 mg (wet weight) mL⁻¹, pH 7.0, temperature 28 °C, DO 5.8 mg L⁻¹, and CP concentration 300 mg L⁻¹. The continuous packed bed bioreactor was operated at flow rates ranging from 10 to 40 mL h⁻¹while keeping other parameters at their optimal level. Steady-state CP removal efficiencies greater than 85 % were obtained up to the inlet loading of 180 mg L⁻¹ d⁻¹. The continuous bioreactor behaved as a plug flow unit and was able to stabilize quickly after perturbation in the inlet loading.