Roles of ATP-dependent N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in aerobic granulation

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2012-08, Vol.88 (9), p.1058-1064
• Main Authors: Jiang, Bo, Liu, Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acyl-Butyrolactones - metabolism; Adenosine Triphosphate - biosynthesis; Adenosine Triphosphate - metabolism; Aerobic granules; Aerobiosis; Agrobacterium tumefaciens - cytology; Agrobacterium tumefaciens - drug effects; Agrobacterium tumefaciens - metabolism; Applied sciences; ATP; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of waters; Biomass; Biotechnology; Electron Transport - drug effects; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Extracellular polymeric substances; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General purification processes; Granular materials; Granulation; Granules; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Lactones; Microorganisms; N-acylhomoserine lactones; Origins; Pollution; Polysaccharides, Bacterial - metabolism; Quorum sensing; Salicylanilides - pharmacology; Sewage - microbiology; Uncoupler; Waste Management; Waste water; Wastewaters; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.04.059

► The production of AHLs and EPSs was ATP-dependent. ► Both AHLs and EPSs contributed to aerobic granulation. ► Inhibited production of AHLs and EPSs would cause failure of aerobic granulation. Aerobic granules which form through a cell-to-cell self-immobilization process have been intensively studied and developed for wastewater biotreatment. However, the microbiological origin of this phenomenon is still largely unknown. This study investigated the possible role of metabolic energy in the development of aerobic granules. Results showed that aerobic granulation was positively related to ATP-dependent N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) production. Inhibited ATP synthesis by a chemical uncoupler, 3,3′,4′,5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide, led to significant reduction of AHLs and EPSs production, which in turn prevented aerobic granulation. This study for the first time demonstrated the involvement of ATP-dependent AHLs in aerobic granulation.