Adaptations in bacterial catabolic enzyme activity and community structure in membrane-coupled bioreactors fed simple synthetic wastewater

• Published in: Journal of biotechnology 2006-02, Vol.121 (3), p.368-380
• Main Authors: LaPara, Timothy M., Klatt, Christian G., Chen, Ruoyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Adaptation, Physiological; alpha-Glucosidases - metabolism; Bacteria; Bacteria, Aerobic - genetics; Bacteria, Aerobic - growth & development; Bacteria, Aerobic - metabolism; Bacteria, Aerobic - physiology; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Bioreactors - microbiology; Biotechnology; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Culture Media - metabolism; Enzyme activity; Esterases - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Leucyl Aminopeptidase - analysis; Leucyl Aminopeptidase - metabolism; Membrane bioreactors; Membranes, Artificial; Nutrient limitation; PCR-DGGE; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Population Dynamics; Proteins - metabolism; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - analysis; Starch - metabolism; Substrate Specificity; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism
• ISSN: 0168-1656; 1873-4863
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2005.07.013

Membrane-coupled bioreactors (MBRs) offer substantial benefits compared to conventional reactor designs for biological wastewater treatment. MBR treatment efficiency, however, has not been optimized because the effects of the MBR on process microbiology are poorly understood. In this study, the structure and function of the microbial communities growing in MBRs fed simple synthetic wastewater were investigated. In four starch-fed MBRs, the bacterial community substantially increased its α-glucosidase affinity (>1000-fold), while the leucine aminopeptidase and heptanoate esterase affinities increased slightly (