Effect of the addition of an inorganic carbon source on the degradation of sotol vinasse by Rhodopseudomonastelluris

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2024-03, Vol.355, p.120350-120350, Article 120350
• Main Authors: Cisneros de la Cueva, Sergio, Jaimes Zuñiga, Sara Citlaly, Pérez Vega, Samuel Bernardo, Mendoza Chacon, Johan, Salmerón Ochoa, Iván, Quintero Ramos, Armando
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acidity; alkalinity; Anaerobic digestion; biosynthesis; calcium carbonate; carbon dioxide; chemical oxygen demand; Degradation; dissociation; environmental management; Environmental pollution; fermentation; Inorganic carbon; phenol; Rhodopseudomonas; Sotol vinasse; sulfates; vinasse
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120350

The difficulty of the microbial conversion process for the degradation of sotol vinasse due to its high acidity and organic load makes it an effluent with high potential for environmental contamination, therefore its treatment is of special interest. Calcium carbonate is found in great abundance and has the ability to act as a neutralizing agent, maintaining the alkalinity of the fermentation medium as well as, through its dissociation, releasing CO2 molecules that can be used by phototrophic CO2-fixing bacteria. This study evaluated the use of Rhodopseudomonas telluris (OR069658) for the degradation of vinasse in different concentrations of calcium carbonate (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% m/v). The results showed that calcium carbonate concentration influenced volatile fatty acids (VFA), alkalinity and pH, which in turn influenced changes in the degradation of chemical oxygen demand (COD), phenol and sulfate. Maximum COD and phenol degradation values of 83.16 ± 0.15% and 90.16 ± 0.30%, respectively, were obtained at a calcium carbonate concentration of 4%. At the same time, the lowest COD and phenol degradation values of 52.01 ± 0.38% and 68.21 ± 0.81%, respectively, were obtained at a calcium carbonate concentration of 0%. The data obtained also revealed to us that at high calcium carbonate concentrations of 6–10%, sotol vinasse can be biosynthesized by Rhodopseudomonas telluris (OR069658) to VFA, facilitating the degradation of sulfates. The findings of this study confirmed the potential for using Rhodopseudomonas telluris (OR069658) at a calcium carbonate concentration of 4% as an appropriate alternative treatment for sotol vinasse degradation. [Display omitted] •Carotenoid and Bacteriochlorophyll production by Rhodopseudomonas from sotol vinasse.•Rhodopseudomonas demonstrated its metabolic adaptability to grow in an opaque medium.•Rhodopseudomonas in presence of carbonate improved the degradation of sotol vinasse.